Malnourished children to be given special care against measles: Task force

After State health Minister Tanaji Sawant met with health officials on Friday, the department has issued guidelines to all municipal corporations to organise vaccination drives and awareness campaigns against measles

After State health Minister Tanaji Sawant met with health officials on Friday, the department has issued guidelines to all municipal corporations to organise vaccination drives and awareness campaigns against measles. Additionally, the task force has directed health departments to take special care of malnourished children.

Malnourished children who have not been vaccinated, remain vulnerable against measles infection. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

Maharashtra is now reporting suspected cases as high as 10,234 with 657 confirmed cases. There have been 13 deaths in the state and they are limited to Mumbai and adjoining areas.

Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer said that the task force has issued guidelines to control the spread of measles.

“The task force has issued instructions to spread awareness about vaccination through various state departments and volunteers from NCC and Indian Medical Association (IMA). A special drive is to be organised for areas reporting an outbreak. Authorities should survey all children who are below the age of five years and are eligible for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination,” Dr Awate said.

He added that the task force has been instructed to take special care of malnourished children.

“Malnourished children who have not been vaccinated, remain vulnerable against measles infection. The task force has instructed the health department to identify these undernourished children and give them vitamin A tablets in addition to the MMR vaccines,” Dr Awate informed.

In October and November this year alone, 2,974 special vaccination drives were organised by the state health department.