The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has initiated a significant push to enhance immunisation among children in India. This effort is encapsulated in the Zero Dose Implementation Plan, a campaign designed to identify and vaccinate children who have never received any vaccine doses, known as "zero dose children."
Named for its target group, the zero dose drive focuses on children who have not received even a single vaccine dose. The initiative aims to reach out to these children across 143 districts in 11 states where the number of unvaccinated children is notably high.
The primary objective of this campaign is to ensure that every unvaccinated child receives necessary vaccinations through specially organized immunisation camps. This effort aligns with the broader mission of leaving no child unvaccinated in these identified districts.
Remarkably, the number of zero dose children is on a downward trend. From 0.11% in 2023, it decreased to 0.06% in 2024. This decline highlights the effectiveness of ongoing efforts and strategic interventions in the field of immunisation.
One of the noteworthy initiatives is Mission Indradhanush, launched in 2017. This program has successfully vaccinated 54.6 million children and 13.2 million pregnant women to date, showcasing the country's commitment to enhancing public health.
India designates specific days each year as National and Sub-National Immunisation Days to ensure widespread vaccine coverage, particularly for diseases like polio. Through such efforts, India has proudly maintained a polio-free status since 2014.
According to the UN-MMEIG 2023 report, India's maternal mortality rate has impressively declined by 86% since 1990, reaching 80 per 100,000 live births. Similarly, the UNIGME 2024 report highlights a significant reduction in under-five mortality by 78% and neonatal mortality by 70% since 1990.
India's immunisation coverage now surpasses the global average across all vaccines. This achievement positions the country as a global model in child health and vaccine delivery. Despite this progress, India still ranks second globally, with 1.4 million unvaccinated children as of 2023, following Nigeria's 2.5 million. Globally, 15.7 million children lacked any vaccine doses that year.
Overall, India's strategic and focused approach towards improving immunisation coverage is not only addressing the present challenges but also setting a benchmark for global health initiatives.
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