Malappuram measles deaths: Child rights panel seeks report, checks vaccination gaps

Malappuram (Kerala): The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Friday sought a report from health authorities on the deaths of two children from measles in northern Malappuram district, expressing concern over reports that both children were unvaccinated.

According to media reports, a 10-month-old child from Valavannur and a one-and-a-half-year-old from Ponmala died of measles in the district within a week.
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The commission said it had taken up the matter on its own and sought reports from the district medical officer and the district child protection officer.

The panel said ensuring vaccination is the responsibility of the Health Department and directed authorities to check whether there were other children in the district who had not received the measles vaccine.

The decision was taken by acting chairperson Cicily Joseph and member P Shajesh Bhaskar, according to an official statement.
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Why vaccination remains crucial

The recent measles deaths in Malappuram and the rise in confirmed cases have brought renewed attention to gaps in routine vaccination in the district. Of the children born between 2021 and September 18, 2026, nearly 55,000 have not received even the first dose of the MR vaccine, while more than 1.17 lakh children who received the first dose are yet to receive the second.

Health authorities have intensified vaccination drives and are working to identify children who have missed their doses. As measles is highly contagious but preventable through timely vaccination, officials are urging parents to ensure that their children receive both recommended doses. The district had also witnessed a major measles outbreak in 2023, when 1,304 cases were reported and three people died.

(With PTI inputs)