Noida launches measles-rubella catch-up drive to close Covid-era gaps

Why the drive is needed

Noida's health department has rolled out a measles-rubella (MR) catch-up vaccination campaign, aiming to cover children who missed their routine immunisation shots during the Covid-19 pandemic. The drive comes after health workers recorded a visible gap in coverage over the past two years, when lockdowns and disrupted services kept many families away from vaccination centres.

Officials said the campaign targets children in the 9 months to 5 years age group who have not received their full course of MR vaccine. The virus, which causes fever, rash and in severe cases pneumonia or brain inflammation, remains a public health concern in densely populated districts like Gautam Buddh Nagar.

How the campaign will work

The drive will be conducted through existing anganwadi centres, primary health centres and mobile teams in urban and rural pockets of Noida. Health workers have been asked to go door-to-door in high-risk areas, particularly where immunisation rates dipped sharply during the pandemic.

Each child will be screened against their vaccination card, and those with missing doses will be given the vaccine on the spot. Officials have also set up special counters at district hospitals for families who prefer to visit on their own.

According to the health department, the campaign will run for several weeks, with a focus on slum clusters and migrant worker settlements where routine health services often fail to reach.

Immunisation gaps from Covid era

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunisation across India, with millions of children missing their scheduled vaccines. In Noida, health records show a clear drop in MR coverage during 2020-21, when vaccination sessions were suspended or poorly attended due to fear of infection and movement restrictions.

Health experts have warned that such gaps can lead to localised outbreaks of measles, which is highly contagious. Rubella, while milder, poses a serious risk to pregnant women, as it can cause birth defects in the unborn child.

District immunisation officer, who did not wish to be named, told TIVRA News that the drive is part of a broader state-level push to restore pre-pandemic vaccination levels. "We have identified pockets where coverage is below 80 per cent, and those are our priority," the officer said.

Parents urged to come forward

Health officials are appealing to parents to check their children's vaccination status and bring them to the nearest centre if they have missed a dose. The MR vaccine is safe and effective, they stress, and has been in use for decades.

Families who have lost their vaccination cards can still get the vaccine, as health workers will maintain a fresh record. The drive is free of cost, and no child will be turned away, officials said.

Local physicians have welcomed the move, noting that measles cases tend to spike in the post-monsoon season. "A catch-up drive now can prevent a surge later this year," said a paediatrician in Noida's Sector 30, who requested anonymity.

What to watch

The success of the drive will depend on how many families come forward in the coming weeks. Health teams will review coverage data at the end of the campaign and may extend the drive in areas with low turnout. Parents can also contact their nearest anganwadi or primary health centre for details on session dates and locations.