Yupia, May 7: In a concerted effort to eliminate Measles and Rubella (MR) by 2026, the first quarter meeting of the district task force for immunization (DTFI) was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Papum Pare deputy commissioner Jiken Bomjen.
The meeting convened key health officials, field-level stakeholders, and partner organisations to assess progress, strategize interventions, and emphasise the urgent need for intensified information, education, and communication (IEC) activities.
Bomjen underlined the critical role of grassroots engagement in achieving universal immunization coverage. He urged health workers to ensure that awareness about MR and its vaccination reaches every household, especially in remote and underserved areas.
“Effective communication and strong community involvement are essential to ensure no child is left behind,” he said.
District medical officer Dr Rina Ronya echoed the call for stronger IEC efforts, particularly in hesitant and under-covered pockets. She highlighted that building trust at the grassroots level is essential for mobilizing communities and increasing vaccine acceptance.
Dr Randeep Saha, SMO from the World Health Organization (WHO), presented an in-depth overview of the national MR elimination campaign.
He emphasised that IEC must remain at the heart of all activities, and stressed the need for robust disease surveillance to detect outbreaks and disrupt transmission chains before the target deadline of December 26, 2026.
Dr Saha also advocated for multi-sectoral coordination, calling on various departments and community-based organizations to work collectively during vaccination drives. He outlined strategies for maximising outreach, including leveraging schools, local media, and grassroots health platforms.
Sharing data-driven insights, he compared past campaign outcomes and recommended evidence-based micro-planning tailored to local challenges.
The meeting also served to sensitise medical officer in-charges and other key stakeholders on operational strategies.
The MR elimination program is focused on children aged 0–2 years and pregnant women, with a goal of achieving cent per cent vaccination coverage and eliminating the diseases from the region.
