Chandigarh: The Punjab Government is all set to initiate the ‘Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign' in month of April and May, 2018 under which about 75 lakh children between the age of  9 months to 15 years would be immunized in the State.

Disclosing this here today, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that in order to reduce infant mortality rate and birth defects,  health department would carry out the ‘Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign’ for the fortification of the children against the measles and rubella virus.

He said that measles is a major childhood killer disease across the world whereas congenital rubella syndrome is also responsible for irreversible birth defects.

Mr. Mohindra said that instructions regarding the campaign have been issued to the all Civil Surgeons under which about 75 lakh children would be immunized. He said that soon state level micro-plan would finalise to cover each and every village, schools and remote areas of the state.

He said that this ambitious campaign would also address the C.R.S. (Congenital Rubella Syndrome) which causes birth defects such as irreversible deafness and blindness in the children.

Divulging more he said that measles is highly infectious and easily spread by the coughing and sneezing via personal contact or direct contact with secretions. On the other hand rubella is mild viral infection and cause hearing impairments, eye and heart defects and brain damage. He said that this state level vaccination campaign will ensure the health security as fortification of infants and children to lead healthy life.

He said that health department is also conducting awareness activities (IEC) concerning the vaccination campaign for 100 percent immunization of the children in the state. “A plan to protect the children from the preventive diseases which are infectious and transferable between the infants and children has also been chalked out” said Mr. Brahm Mohindra.