District health authorities have organised vaccination sessions within school premises to make the process convenient for students and parents. Both government and private schools are participating in the campaign, with advance coordination between education officials and health teams.
Officials stated that the initiative is part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader immunisation strategy to strengthen community immunity and prevent potential outbreaks of measles and rubella. The MR vaccine is being administered free of cost as part of the state’s public health programme.
Focus on Closing Immunity Gaps
Chief Medical Officer of Gautam Budh Nagar, Dr Narendra Kumar, emphasised that the campaign is designed to close immunity gaps among school-going children. He said that eligible students will receive an additional dose of the MR vaccine to enhance protection.
“The objective is to ensure that every eligible child is covered. The vaccine is safe, effective, and provided free of charge,” he stated, urging parents to cooperate with school authorities on scheduled vaccination days.
Understanding Measles and Rubella Risks
Measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that primarily affect children. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia, severe diarrhoea, ear infections, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and in extreme cases, death.
Rubella, though often milder in children, poses serious risks during pregnancy. Infection in pregnant women can result in congenital rubella syndrome, leading to birth defects in newborns. Public health experts note that sustained vaccination coverage is essential to eliminate these preventable diseases.
For more details on the national immunisation programme, citizens can visit the official portal of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at https://www.mohfw.gov.in and refer to updates by the Press Information Bureau at https://www.pib.gov.in.
Health Teams Deployed Across District
Dedicated health teams have been deployed across Gautam Budh Nagar to monitor the smooth conduct of vaccination sessions. Authorities are maintaining strict adherence to vaccination protocols and record-keeping to ensure transparency and accountability.
Schools were informed in advance about their designated vaccination dates to minimise disruption to academic activities. Conducting sessions within school campuses is also expected to reduce absenteeism and improve coverage rates.
Parents Urged to Ensure Participation
The district administration has appealed to parents to ensure their children are present on the scheduled vaccination day. Officials stressed that missing the dose may leave children vulnerable to infection, especially in densely populated urban settings where outbreaks can spread rapidly.
Periodic mass vaccination drives are considered a crucial public health tool to reinforce routine immunisation efforts. Experts highlight that maintaining high coverage not only protects individual children but also strengthens herd immunity within the community.
With the campaign scheduled to conclude on February 27, health authorities will closely monitor progress to ensure full coverage across schools in Noida and Greater Noida.