Odisha chalks out strategy to eliminate measles, rubella by December this year

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has prepared a strategy for elimination of measles and rubella—two contagious viral infections—in the state.

As part of the strategy, the Health and Family Welfare department has planned to strengthen routine immunization among the babies across the state.

“A roadmap has been prepared by the state government to strengthen routine immunization activities for achieving measles and rubella elimination by December, 2023,” said an official of the Health department today.

Health department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shalini Pandit has instructed all district Collectors and Commissioners of municipal corporations to follow the roadmap and focus on achieving more than 90 per cent full immunization coverage in their respective areas, added the official.

Notably, measles and rubella can be easily prevented through vaccination. The state government provides free vaccination for the babies to eliminate the two diseases.