At what age is the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine administered as the first dose in the National Immunisation Schedule of India?

Explanation

## Measles-Rubella Vaccine — Timing in India **Key Point:** The first dose of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is administered at **9 months of age** in the National Immunisation Schedule of India. ### MR Vaccine Schedule | Age | Dose | Route | | --- | --- | --- | | 9 months | MR-1 (first dose) | Subcutaneous | | 15–18 months | MR-2 (second dose) | Subcutaneous | **High-Yield:** The MR vaccine replaced the earlier MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine in the routine schedule. The 9-month timing is chosen because: - Maternal antibodies have waned sufficiently - Immune response is adequate at this age - Early protection against measles (highly contagious) is critical **Clinical Pearl:** MR is a live attenuated vaccine given subcutaneously. A second dose at 15–18 months ensures seroconversion in children who did not respond to the first dose (approximately 5–10% of vaccinees). **Mnemonic:** **MR at 9–15** — First dose at 9 months, second dose at 15–18 months for complete protection.