Mumbai measles outbreak: What is the role played by lack of vaccination

Mumbai measles outbreak: What is the role played by lack of vaccination

Subject : Science and Technology

Context- 

• Despite Measles vaccine being under the Universal immunisation programme (UIP) the lack of a proper vaccination program in Maharashtra led to the spread of Measles in the region.

Universal Immunisation Programme

• The immunization Programme in India was introduced in 1978 as ‘Expanded Programme of Immunization’ (EPI) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• In 1985, the programme was modified as the ‘Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to be implemented in a phased manner to cover all districts in the country by 1989-90 with one of the largest health programmes in the world.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India provides several vaccines to infants, children and pregnant women through the Universal Immunisation Programme.

About immunization-

• Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine.
• Vaccines are substances that stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease.

Vaccines provided under UIP:

• BCG
  • About-BCG stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine. It is given to infants to protect them from tubercular meningitis and disseminated TB.
  • When to give – BCG vaccine is given at birth or as early as possible till 1 year.
• OPV
  • About-OPV stands for Oral Polio Vaccine. It protects children from poliomyelitis.
  • When to give– OPV is given at birth called zero dose and three doses are given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks. A booster dose is given at 16-24 months of age.
• Hepatitis B vaccine
  • About – Hepatitis B vaccine protects from Hepatitis B virus
  • When to give- Hepatitis B vaccine is given at birth or as early as possible within 24 hours. Subsequently, 3 dose are given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks in combination with DPT and Hib in the form of a pentavalent vaccine.

Pentavalent Vaccine

• About- Pentavalent vaccine is a combined vaccine to protect children from five diseases Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilis influenza type b infection and Hepatitis B.
  • Diptheria- A serious infection of the nose and throat that’s easily preventable by a vaccine. A sheet of thick, grey matter covers the back of the throat, making breathing hard.
  • Symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes and weakness.
  • Tetanus- Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. When these bacteria enter the body, they produce a toxin that causes painful muscle contractions. Another name for tetanus is “lockjaw”. It often causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock, making it hard to open the mouth or swallow.  It can interfere with the ability to breathe, eventually causing death.
  • Pertussis- Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Before the vaccine was developed, whooping cough was considered a childhood disease.
  • Haemophilis influenza type b infection- Haemophilus influenza disease is a name for any illness caused by bacteria called H. influenzae. Some of these illnesses, like ear infections, are mild while others, like bloodstream infections, are very serious. In spite of the name, H. influenzae does not cause influenza (the flu).  Vaccines can prevent one type of H. influenzae (type b or Hib) disease.
• When to give – Three doses are given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age (can be given till one year of age).
• Rotavirus Vaccine-
  • About -RVV stands for Rotavirus vaccine. It gives protection to infants and children against rotavirus diarrhoea. It is given in select states.
  • When to give – Three doses of vaccine are given at 6, 10, 14 weeks of age (can be given at one year of age).
• PCV
  • About-PCV stands for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. It protects infants and young children against disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • When to give – The vaccine is given in two primary doses at 6 & 14 weeks of age followed by a booster dose at 9-12 months of age.
  • In December 2020, India’s first fully indigenously developed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine “Pneumosil” was launched.

• fIPV
  • About-fIPV stands for Fractional Inactivated Poliomyelitis Vaccine. It is used to boost the protection against poliomyelitis (Polio).
  • When to give- Two fractional doses of IVP are given intradermally at 6 and 14 weeks of age.
• Measles/ MR vaccine
  • About- Measles vaccine is used to protect children from measles. In a few states Measles and Rubella a combined vaccine is given to protect against Measles and Rubella infection.
  • When to give– First dose of Measles or MR vaccine is given at 9 completed months to 12 months (vaccine can be given up to 5 years if not given at 9-12 months age) and second dose is given at 16-24 months.
• JE vaccine
  • About-JE stands for Japanese encephalitis vaccine. It gives protection against Japanese Encephalitis disease. JE vaccine is given in select districts endemic for JE after the campaign.
  • When to given- JE vaccine is given in two doses first dose is given at 9 completed months-12 months of age and second dose at 16-24 months of age.
• DPT booster
  • About– DPT is a combined vaccine; it protects children from Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis.
  • When to give –DPT vaccine is given at 16-24 months of age is called as DPT first booster and DPT 2nd booster is given at 5-6 years of age.
• Tetanus and adult diphtheria (Td) vaccine:
  • About- TT vaccine has been replaced with Td vaccine in UIP to limit the waning immunity against diphtheria in older age groups.

When to give– Td vaccine is administered to adolescents at 10 and 16 years of age and to pregnant women.