Experiences and Lessons Learned from the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2023 Implemented in Private Schools of Kolkata.

Background: Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign (MRVC) was conducted in West Bengal with a target to achieve more than 95% vaccination among children aged 9 months to 15 years.

Materials and methods: A concurrent mixed-method study was undertaken in Kolkata from June 2023 to July 2023 with the objectives to explore strategies adopted in MRVC to achieve target, and lessons learned, and to identify barriers to implement MRVC, particularly in elite private schools. Thirty private schools and three medical officers of the borough health office were interviewed. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted.

Results: The vaccination coverage was 70.16%. Sensitization meeting with parents before MRVC was not conducted in eight schools; key messages communicated were on the safety and benefit of the measles and rubella (MR) vaccine. The main pre-implementation barriers identified were the short notice period, sessions conflicting with pre-planned school activities, and hesitancy of parents. Frequently reported barriers during the sessions were delays in starting sessions, 30-minute waiting period after vaccination, and the involvement of teachers in the documentation process. Missed children were immunized in local health facilities and community-based sessions.

Conclusions: With one of every four students not getting the vaccine in the school campaign, the progress toward MR elimination will halt. The main reasons for poor performance were deficient coordination between the health and education department, lack of ownership by schools, and low visibility of the campaign. Observations from this study highlight the need for effective planning, better advocacy, judicious use of communication strategy, and school-led promotion of vaccination.