Immunisation Inadequacies in India

Over the last 50 years, vaccination against 14 diseases has directly contributed to a 40% reduction in infant mortality worldwide. "Vaccines are among the most powerful inventions in history, making once-feared diseases preventable,” said WHO Director-General. A study concluded that 10.2 billion full health years were gained over the course of five decades, or an average of 66 years, were gained for every life saved by immunization (WHO,2024).

In an Indian context though, unimpaired child rates appear to be rising in both rural and urban areas, which raises the possibility of areas that are neglected. Enhancing focus on minimizing dropouts in urban slums and implementing a targeted approach to identify and reach children in underserved pockets in both rural and urban areas would be beneficial for national policymakers eager to increase the national immunization coverage. States should make sure that boundaries are drawn between healthcare facilities, thorough headcount surveys are conducted, and micro plans are created and updated on a regular basis in order to identify underserved pockets and difficult-to-reach areas. Additionally, mobile sessions and adjustable schedules can significantly improve immunization in these regions. It would be anticipated that a robust communication intervention involving advocacy, interpersonal communication, and community engagement would significantly reduce dropout rates by fostering a cohesive environment in which women can make educated decisions about immunization (Kulkarni et al., 2021).

Kindly share your views on the gaps in Immunization in India.

References:

1. World. (2024, April 24). Global immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. //www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2024-global-immunization-efforts-have-saved-at-least-154-million-lives-over-the-past-50-years
Kulkarni, S., Varun Thampi, Deshmukh, D., Mangesh Gadhari, Chandrasekar, R., & Phadke, M. (2021). Trends in Urban Immunization Coverage in India: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. Indian Journal of Pediatrics/Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 90(1), 38–48. //doi.org/10.1007/s12098-021-03843-0