Palin, May 6: The Kra Daadi district health society on Tuesday convened a meeting of the District Task Force on Immunization (DTFI) at the deputy commissioner's office here as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate measles and rubella.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Charu Nili and co-chaired by District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr C Lowang Mallo, was held in alignment with the National Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2025–26, which was launched by Union Health Minister J P Nadda on April 24.
Officials said the campaign targets 100 per cent immunization coverage, particularly in remote and vulnerable pockets, through the administration of two MR vaccine doses—one at 9–12 months and the second at 16–24 months—to protect children below two years from complications like diarrhoea, pneumonia, and immunosuppression.
The MR vaccine is being offered free of cost at all government health facilities, they added.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders including education and ICDS officials, DIPRO, panchayat leaders, and religious representatives, who discussed outreach strategies and community mobilization efforts.
District Reproductive and Child Health Officer (DRCHO) Dr Nani Tanyo, along with the DMO, emphasized the role of multi-lingual IEC materials, local influencers, religious institutions, and traditional village leaders in promoting awareness.
The MR vaccination drive in the district is scheduled from May 5 to 10, with targeted outreach in schools, places of worship, and community centres. Officials highlighted that locally, measles is known as ‘Talang Doli’, and rubella is especially dangerous for pregnant women due to the risk of congenital disabilities in newborns.
The district will also tie the campaign’s messaging with nationally observed days such as Mother’s Day (May 8), Father’s Day (June 15), Teacher’s Day (September 5), and Children’s Day (November 14), to keep the issue in public focus and ensure full immunization of all children under five.
The administration has called on citizens and community leaders to actively support the campaign under the theme “ACT NOW” and urged families to visit the nearest government health facility for free vaccination.
