Keralam's mumps outbreak spurs calls for MMR vaccine inclusion in immunisation programme

The demand has gained strength following studies from Keralam documenting immunity gaps among children, complications that can cause long-term disability, and genetic differences between the circulating mumps virus and the strain used in the vaccine, indicating how the continued exclusion of MMR vaccine from Universal Immunisation Programme represents an important gap in disease prevention

Source

The Hindu — Science & Tech →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01A mumps outbreak in Kerala has been ongoing since late 2023, affecting over 100,000 individuals by 2026.
02The mumps virus circulating in Kerala has genetic differences compared to the strain used in the MMR vaccine.
03Studies from Kerala have documented immunity gaps among children, leading to complications that can cause long-term disability.
04The Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine has been used in India's Universal Immunisation Programme, but it does not include protection against mumps.
05The MMR vaccine, which includes protection against mumps, is not currently included in India's Universal Immunisation Programme.
06The mumps outbreak in Kerala has led to renewed calls to include the MMR vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme.

Trap alerts

Most people think the MR vaccine provides protection against mumps, but actually it does not.
Most people think the MMR vaccine is already included in India's Universal Immunisation Programme, but actually it is not.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

The Universal Immunisation Programme in India includes which vaccine?

A.MMR vaccine
B.BCG vaccine
C.DPT vaccine
D.Polio vaccine

The MMR vaccine is used to prevent mumps, but it is not included in the Universal Immunisation Programme in India.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding MMR Vaccine and Mumps Outbreak: 1. The Universal Immunisation Programme in India includes the MMR vaccine. 2. The circulating mumps virus in Kerala has genetic differences with the strain used in the vaccine. 3. The Ministry of Health has reported a significant increase in mumps cases in Kerala. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is false because the Universal Immunisation Programme does not include the MMR vaccine. Statement 2 is true because the fact list states that the circulating mumps virus in Kerala has genetic differences with the strain used in the vaccine. Statement 3 is false because there is no mention of the Ministry of Health reporting an increase in mumps cases in Kerala.

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