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Measles Rubella vaccination drive from Aug 17

By CITY CORRESPONDENT

GUWAHATI, Aug 11 - Kamrup (Metro) district administration has targeted to cover altogether 6,92,572 children (from 9 months to 15 years of age) of Guwahati in the upcoming Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign to be started from August 17 across the State, a statement issued by the administration said.

In the campaign, the vaccine will be given at schools and anganwadi centres as well as at all the government and private hospitals across the district.

�Measles is a life threatening disease, which spreads through virus. Whereas Rubella-infected adults especially women in early pregnancy may result in congenital rubella syndrome which can be greatly harmful for fetus and new born baby. Under this campaign, the MR vaccine will be provided at free of cost,� said Dr Arup Deka, State Programme Officer of World Health Organization, here today.

Dr Ganesh Saikia, Joint Director of Health Services, Kamrup (Metro) district, said, �All the necessary trainings to the health workers have been given.�

He also assured that the MR vaccine is very safe and effective and has been in use for the last 40 years worldwide.

Assam is conducting the MR vaccination campaign as part of the national strategy to eliminate measles and control rubella in the country. An estimated 49,000 children die from measles annually, making it one of the leading causes of child deaths in India.

Moreover, rubella is an infectious yet mild viral illness affecting both children and adults that can cause death and disabilities in the newborn if an unprotected pregnant woman gets infected with rubella virus in early pregnancy.

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