Progress Toward Measles and Rubella Elimination — India, 2005–2021
Ratnesh Murugan, Kristin VanderEnde, Veena Dhawan, Pradeep Haldar, Sourabh Chatterjee, Deepa Sharma, Kevisetuo Anthony Dzeyie, Subramanya Balakuntlam Pattabhiramaiah, Sudhir Khanal, Lucky Sangal, Sunil Bahl, Sukarma Tanwar, Michelle Morales, Ahmed Kassem
Abstract
During 2005-2021, coverage with the first dose of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV) administered through routine immunization increased 31%, from 68% to 89%. During 2011-2021, coverage with a second MCV dose (MCV2) increased by 204%, from 27% to 82%. During 2017-2021, coverage with a first dose of RCV (RCV1) increased almost 14-fold, from 6% to 89%. More than 324 million children received a measles- and rubella-containing vaccine (MRCV) during measles-rubella SIAs completed in 34 (94%) of 36 states and union territories (states) during 2017-2019. During 2017-2021, annual measles incidence decreased 62%, from 10.4 to 4.0 cases per 1 million population, and rubella incidence decreased 48%, from 2.3 to 1.2 cases per 1 million population. India has made substantial progress toward measles and rubella elimination; however, urgent and intensified efforts are required to achieve measles and rubella elimination by 2023.