Measles Vaccination Drive Covered 87% Kids in Tamil Nadu

A new study conducted by Makkal Nalavazhu Iyakkam revealed that the measles vaccination drive in Tamil Nadu has managed to cover just over 87 percent of the children in the state.

The District Level Household Survey conducted back in May 2008 had revealed that the vaccination drive had managed to cover over 97 percent but following a number of vaccine related deaths, the village level drive was suspended.

The latest report studied the vaccination given in over 11 districts in the state and found that it covered around 87.39 percent children. The vaccination drive in the Theni district recorded the widest coverage with over 99 percent while Coimbatore came in last at 74.3 percent.

Dr George Kurien of Christian Medical College, Vellore, said that if the government wanted wider coverage of the vaccines, then village level drive should be restarted. "Village-level vaccination is key to eradicating major diseases. So, the vaccination drive at village-level should be restarted and carried out with the proper precautionary measures", he said.


Source: Medindia