Why are mumps cases spiking in India and can the vaccine help?

What comes to mind when someone says the word ‘mumps’? You’re vaguely remembering that it’s supposed to be a mild, childhood illness, one that you haven’t perhaps heard about in a long time. The fact is however, that there are thousands of mumps cases being reported in India every year. And this is not just limited to one or two States — cases occur across the country. A vaccine for mumps has been available for over 50 years now — in fact, India manufactures and exports this vaccine to other countries, and yet, it is not part of our country’s universal immunisation programme for children. So why are mumps cases spiking in India? What does the mumps viral illness do to the body? And is there a case to be made out to include the mumps vaccine in routine immunisations for children? Guest: Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha, Past National Convener of the IAP Committee on Immunisation and Director of Mangla Hospital & Research Center, Uttar Pradesh Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices