PATNA, Aug. 13 -- Bihar's health department has launched a special drive to vaccinate every child who missed their measles-rubella (MR) shots, aiming for 100% coverage by August 31, as the central government pushes toward its 2026 target of eliminating measles-rubella and achieving full immunisation coverage, officials said on Tuesday. Data for January-June 2026 shows 35,969 children across 161 blocks missed the MR-1 (first) dose, while 22,033 children across 104 blocks missed MR-2 (second dose). These children will now be identified and vaccinated through regular immunisation sessions as part of the campaign. Under the drive, all left-out children aged 9 months to 5 years will be surveyed and a "due list" prepared, with block-level reports due at the district level by August 14 and consolidated district reports due at the state level shortly after. Beyond regular immunisation sessions, full coverage of targeted children will be ensured by August 31 through health and wellness centres, primary health centres, community health centres, sub-divisional hospitals and district hospitals, said officials. Children aged nine months to five years will also receive vitamin-A supplementation as part of the campaign. Measles-rubella is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications in children, including pneumonia, diarrhoea and brain infections, and remains a leading cause of death among infants and young children. Rubella infection in early pregnancy can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the newborn, leading to blindness, deafness, intellectual disability and heart disease. Under the routine immunisation schedule, children receive the first MR dose between 9 and 12 months of age and the second between 16 and 24 months....