T.N. reiterates introduction of MMR vaccine under UIP
The Tamil Nadu government has requested that the Union Health Ministry include the MMR vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme to replace the current MR vaccine. This move follows reports of mumps outbreaks in the state, which officials note are not alarming but require better preventative coverage.
Why it matters
It reflects the administrative challenges of updating national public health policies to address regional disease outbreaks and improve preventative care for children.
Tamil Nadu has once again reiterated the need to introduce Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in place of the existing Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine. Though not “alarming”, cases of mumps have been reported in the State over the last few years.
In a recent memorandum submitted to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, the State requested scientific consideration for introducing the MMR vaccine under the UIP, instead of the MR vaccine. The State had made a similar request to the Government of India (GoI) in 2024. Then, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine had written to the Union Health Ministry seeking its advice on the possibility of supplying MMR vaccine under routine immunisation to control all three diseases in Tamil Nadu. This was after cases of mumps were reported in various parts of the State that year.
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