To overcome the hurdle of vaccine hesitancy, the BMC has stepped up counselling parents in the M East ward that is under the grip of measles outbreaks. Over the past few days, officials said, health workers have visited 2.47 lakh homes and counselled nearly 12.65 lakh people. This apart, the civic body’s health staff are also screening children for measles symptoms like fever and rashes.

More than 300 workers have fanned out across Govandi and Deonar, which are dotted with slum pockets, for the job.