Sun Mar 30 08:17:43 UTC 2025: ## Rising Mumps Cases Prompt Calls for MMR Vaccine Inclusion in India’s Immunization Program

**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala –** A surge in mumps outbreaks across several Indian states since 2023 is fueling a debate among public health experts about the need to include the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR) vaccine in the national Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).

Kerala, which saw mumps cases skyrocket from an average of 2,500 annually to 74,907 in 2024, is leading the charge. The state has already reported over 16,000 cases in 2025, prompting the state’s Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (STAGI) to recommend the inclusion of the MMR vaccine. Similar requests have been made by other affected states to the Union Health Ministry.

While mumps is a self-limiting viral disease, complications such as aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and acute pancreatitis have been reported, particularly in epidemic situations. The current MR vaccine in the UIP protects against measles and rubella, but not mumps. Although an MMR vaccine has been available for over 50 years and is used in many countries and private Indian hospitals, its absence from the UIP has raised concerns.

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) advocates for the MMR vaccine and has included it in its own immunization schedule. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends the MMR vaccine as a standard for national immunization programs. While the long-term effects of mumps, particularly on reproductive health, are not fully documented, experts highlight the potential for orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) and oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries).

Introducing the MMR vaccine into the UIP is a complex process involving considerations of cost, availability, and potential side effects. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) is expected to address the issue soon. Kerala is exploring funding options, considering a possible restriction of free MMR vaccines to below-poverty-line (BPL) families due to the estimated annual cost of ₹15 crores. The state proposes a phased approach, initially replacing the second dose of the MR vaccine with MMR and later introducing a booster dose.

In the meantime, public awareness campaigns are crucial to help people recognize mumps and understand the importance of isolation to prevent its spread. Improving general immunization coverage is also vital in curbing the current outbreaks, primarily affecting unvaccinated children and adolescents.

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