Intensive Measles Initiated in Kozhikode – Robin Vaccination Campaign

The health department has launched a fierce campaign to strengthen vaccination coverage for measles and rubella in children under five in Kozhikode.

According to officials, coverage of certain areas such as Valayam, Van Meyer, Chikiad, Thuneri, Nadapuram, Koduvally, Thiruvallur and a portion of Kozhikode are all below 90%. The effort is to increase it to 95%. The campaign will continue until May 31 and similar initiatives have been held in Paracad, Marapram, Kanur, Kasaragord and Tirouvananthapuram.

Officials noted that measles and rubella are fast-transmitting infections that can cause serious health problems in children and babies. However, both can be prevented by vaccination. The vaccine is conducted between the ninth and 12th^Th A few months, then between 16 years old^Th and 24^Th A few months after birth. In Kerala, about 92% of children received the first dose, while 87% received the second dose.

Kozhikode reported 62 measles cases in 2024, according to a senior health department official. No rubella cases were reported in the region that year. This year, so far, there have been no cases of measles or rubella. Last year, until April 30 this year, 526 cases of measles and 51 cases of rubella were reported across the state, but Kerala reported 20 cases of measles and 21 cases of rubella. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate both diseases by 2026.

Officials say preliminary work on the intensive campaign has begun in the first week of May. Now, accredited social health activists are being deployed to identify children who missed vaccination and give both doses. Mobile vaccination booths will be set up to target the children of immigrant workers. Special vaccination camps will be held in all health centers in the area over the next two weeks. The committee involving social workers will be established at the local physical level to raise awareness among those who deliberately keep their children away from vaccination.