Appropriate strategy for immunisation of children in India IV: Measles and its control, priority number one

Abstract

Although a hidden health problem, measles is the commonest vaccinepreventable disease and the most common preventable cause of death among our underfives. These facts, plus the availability of a safe and effective vaccine make measles vaccination the highest priority in the control of communicable disease in India. The use of the pulse vaccination strategy will result in better coverage rates than the conventional strategy of immunisation in fixed health centres. India's annual requirement of measles vaccine is 20 million doses. For economy and uninterrupted supply, measles vaccine must be manufactured in India without any further delay.