IAP perspectives on measles and rubella elimination strategies.

The Academy's Expert group on Immunization has discussed various issues pertaining to rubella vaccine introduction in to the Universal Immunization Program. Though the move to introduce rubella vaccine in to the UIP is laudable, the decision to overlook mumps seems inexplicable and illogical. Logistics also support the use of measles-mump and rubella (MMR) vaccine instead of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. Regarding the timing of administration of MMR/MR vaccine, the academy recommends that the vaccine should be given early to have much higher coverage than introducing it late at the time of 1st booster of DPT. According to available evidence, both these vaccines (MMR/MR) can be given safely at different ages including at 9 months of age. The second dose should also be of the same antigen (MMR/MR) and be given along with 1st DPT booster at 16-24 months of age.