Introduction and campaign objectives

  • The National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign was introduced in the year 2025-26 during the World Immunisation Week (24-30 April).
  • The main aim of this campaign, hosted under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), is to eliminate Measles and Rubella (M-R) from India by the year 2026.
  • This to be achieved through full (100%) immunisation coverage.

 

Progress and strategy in M-R elimination

  • According to 2024-25 data, the M-R vaccination coverage of India exceeds 90% for the two rounds of M-R vaccine given under UIP.
  • Notably, in 2024, compared to 2023, incidents of measles dropped by 73% and rubella by 17%.
  • The goal and strategy for India is to eradicate measles and rubella by 2026, which involves reaching over 95% coverage, improving surveillance, providing swift responses to outbreaks, and overcoming vaccine hesitancy through awareness campaigns.

 

International recognition

  • In recognition of its substantial contributions to the disease's eradication, India received the M-R Champion Award in 2024 from the M-R Partnership.

 

About Measles and Rubella

  • Measles and Rubella are contagious viral diseases, typically affecting children.
  • Measles, instigated by the highly contagious Morbillivirus (RNA virus), can result in serious complications, including death.
  • Rubella is less severe than measles but poses a critical risk during pregnancy, it could result in Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) with birth deformities such as hearing loss and cardiac abnormalities.
  • Both diseases, which cause red rashes, are preventable through the M-R vaccine.