Image 13 of 30
SC October 2012
Measles Gujarat A046 H99A8312.CR2.jpg
A man discusses measles vaccination of his grandchildren with Manisha H. Bhatt, a Community Link Worker when she calls at his home...Manisha H. Bhatt, a Community Link Worker visited households in the middle-class Nava Vadaj neighbourhood of Ahmedabad. She distributed a total of 50 invitation cards bearing the names of all children aged 9 months to 5 years (the logistics of vaccinating children aged 5 to 10 years was handled by schools). Parents, grandparents and guardians were notified that they should bring their children to the local Anganwadi centre for measles vaccination. In addition to handing over invitation cards, Bhatt used the opportunity to communicate the urgency of the measles vaccination effort. Such communication and social mobilisation interventions are critical to the success of the measles SIA (Supplementary Immunisation Activity). Rigorous planning and management processes are necessary to mobilise the community for the campaign and address barriers to immunisation...It is estimated that 90,000 Indian children die from measles every year in India which accounts for 67% of all measles deaths worldwide. 1.63% of measles infections in India results in the death of a child. Death results from one of a number of complications including diarrhoea, respiratory infection and encephalitis. Deaths are more likely to occur in malnourished children living in unsanitary conditions. The measles vaccine is included as part of the Routine Immunisation (RI) offered by the Indian Government to all Indian children in their first year. But RI fails to capture all children. In 14 of India's states, including Gujarat and Bihar, more than 20% of infants are not vaccinated against measles...In response, the Indian Government, with cooperation from several outside agencies including UNICEF and the WHO, has embarked on a program of Supplementary Immunisation Activity (SIA) in these fourteen states. Surveys record all children aged 9 months to 10 years. These children are