Mains issueGS-2News & Analysis18 October 2026

Inclusion of MMR Vaccine in Universal Immunisation Programme: A Public Health Policy Debate

An aspirant should be able to critically analyze the factors influencing vaccine inclusion in national immunization programs, balancing public health needs, scientific evidence, and economic considerations, while also understanding the role of expert bodies and challenges in data collection.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

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Why now

Persistent mumps outbreaks in Keralam and other states have renewed calls for including the MMR vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), highlighting a critical debate on public health priorities, vaccine policy, and evidence-based decision-making in India.

Core issue

A persistent mumps outbreak in Keralam since late 2023 has intensified calls for including the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine in India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Despite significant morbidity and long-term complications like hearing loss, mumps has been a low priority due to low mortality. The UIP currently provides only the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. The Centre, based on National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) assessment, cites low public health concern for mumps-associated disability and high cost of MMR compared to MR. Paediatricians and recent studies from Keralam, including molecular characterisation of circulating mumps strains, argue that the disease burden and complications are underestimated and poorly documented, advocating for a re-evaluation of vaccine inclusion criteria and cost-effectiveness standards.

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