-
National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign (2025-26) Launched: Aiming to eliminate Measles and Rubella (M-R) in India by 2026. Launched during World Immunization Week (April 24-30) under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
-
Goal: Achieve 100% immunization coverage with two doses of the M-R vaccine.
-
Progress:
- Over 90% M-R vaccination coverage in 2024-25. (HMIS data reports 93.7% for first dose and 92.2% for second dose)
- 73% reduction in measles cases and 17% reduction in rubella cases in 2024 compared to 2023.
- 332 districts reported zero Measles cases and 487 districts reported zero Rubella cases during January-March 2025.
-
Strategy:
- Achieve >95% vaccination coverage.
- Strengthen surveillance.
- Ensure quick outbreak response.
- Address vaccine hesitancy through awareness campaigns.
-
“ACT NOW” Policy: Focuses on eliminating M-R similar to Polio and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination.
-
International Recognition: India
received the M-R Champion Award (2024) for its efforts in disease elimination. -
IEC Materials Released: Multi-language posters and radio jingles to create awareness.
-
Call to Action: States and UTs urged to be proactive, involve local leaders, and reach remote areas to achieve 100% coverage.
-
Measles & Rubella: Contagious viral diseases affecting children, preventable through vaccination. Measles complications can be severe, and rubella during pregnancy can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
-
Under UIP: Two doses of MR vaccine are provided free of cost at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age.
Similipal
- Similipal Declared National Park: Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve is now the state’s second National Park and India’s 107th. This was a long-pending proposal since 1980.
- Significance of Declaration: The 845.70 sq/km area is now ‘rights free’, prohibiting all human activities for enhanced conservation. The remaining 2,750 sq/km will remain a wildlife sanctuary with limited human activity.
- Ecological Importance: Similipal is home to diverse flora and fauna, including melanistic tigers, royal Bengal tigers, a significant elephant population, and numerous orchid species. It is recognised as a wildlife sanctuary, project tiger, UNESCO biosphere reserve, and elephant reserve.
- Greater Similipal Landscape Programme: The Odisha government is implementing this to protect the new National Park and its ecological corridors. AI powered surveillance, communication networks, and dedicated security forces will be employed.
- Tiger Conservation: To enhance the tiger population and genetic diversity, two female tigers were introduced from Maharashtra’s Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve, targeting a population of 100 tigers by 2036.
- Community Development: The “Ama Similipal Yojana” focuses on livelihood improvement, skill training, eco-tourism promotion, and infrastructure upgrades for local communities.
- No Downgrading: A national park cannot be downgraded to a wildlife sanctuary.
class="table-cell">ASSAM (473)
