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

In Focus by The Hindu · Nov 29, 2025 · 22m

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…