The Immunisation Status In India has witnessed major progress over the past few decades, thanks to comprehensive government initiatives and international collaboration. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that immunisation programmes have saved over 154 million lives globally in the last 50 years, highlighting their unmatched value in public health. India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), one of the largest in the world, plays a key role in improving child and maternal health across the nation.

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): A Pillar of Public Health

India launched its Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985, targeting vaccine-preventable diseases among children and pregnant women. Under this programme:

• 30 million pregnant women and 27 million children are vaccinated annually.
  
  
• The goal is to ensure all children receive a full course of essential vaccines within the first year of life.
  
  
• A child is considered fully immunised when they receive all required vaccines listed in the national immunisation schedule.
  
  

The Immunisation Status In India reflects both large-scale efforts and the challenges of ensuring complete coverage in a country as diverse and populous as India.

Current Immunisation Coverage in India

NFHS-5 Findings (2019-21)

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5):

• 75% of Indian children are fully immunised.
  
  
• This implies that 1 in every 4 children misses essential vaccinations, putting them at higher risk for preventable diseases.
  
  

Health Management Information System (HMIS) Report

Contrary to NFHS-5, the HMIS portal reported an improved figure for 2021-22:

• Full immunisation coverage stood at 90%, indicating better outreach in certain regions.
  
  
• However, discrepancies in data sources raise questions about consistency in monitoring the Immunisation Status In India.
  
  

Key Supporting Mechanisms to Improve Immunisation

India has implemented several digital and field-based interventions to strengthen the Immunisation Status In India.

Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN)

• A technology-based system for real-time vaccine stock tracking and cold chain monitoring.
  
  
• Helps reduce vaccine wastage and improves delivery efficiency.
  
  

National Cold Chain Management Information System (NCCMIS)

• Supports logistics and storage to maintain vaccines at proper temperatures.
  
  
• Ensures that vaccines remain effective and safe across the distribution chain.
  
  

Mission Indradhanush (MI) and Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)

• Launched in 2014 and intensified in later years, these missions aim to reach underserved areas and increase immunisation rates.
  
  
• Target children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
  
  

Challenges Affecting Immunisation Status In India

Despite remarkable efforts, multiple issues hinder universal immunisation coverage.

Lack of Access

• In 2022, 14.3 million infants globally missed their first DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine, reflecting gaps in primary health infrastructure.
  
  
• In India, rural and remote regions still struggle with limited health facility access, impacting the Immunisation Status In India.
  
  

High Child Mortality Due to Preventable Diseases

• Close to one million children die annually in India before the age of five.
  
  
• A significant proportion of these deaths are due to vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
  
  

Shortage of Trained Personnel

• A critical issue is the non-availability of trained Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), vaccinators, and supervisors.
  
  
• This shortfall delays vaccine administration and follow-ups.
  
  

Weak Monitoring and Data Management

• Inconsistent data, lack of digital literacy, and poor monitoring reduce the impact of vaccination programmes.
  
  
• Without reliable data, gaps in immunisation coverage cannot be properly addressed.
  
  

Strategies to Strengthen Immunisation Status In India

To bridge these gaps, targeted strategies are essential:

1. Strengthening Human Resources

• Invest in training more healthcare workers.
  
  
• Provide mobile vaccination units in hard-to-reach areas.
  
  

2. Enhancing Technology Use

• Expand eVIN and NCCMIS to all districts.
  
  
• Introduce AI-based predictive tools to anticipate vaccine shortages and monitor coverage.
  
  

3. Improving Public Awareness

• Run mass awareness campaigns about the importance of full immunisation.
  
  
• Involve local influencers and health volunteers to address myths and misinformation.
  
  

4. Better Policy Coordination

• Ensure data alignment between NFHS, HMIS, and other platforms.
  
  
• Enable real-time dashboards for immunisation tracking at national and state levels.
  
  

Conclusion: A Call for Strengthening Immunisation in India

The Immunisation Status In India has come a long way, with significant achievements in vaccine coverage and innovation in delivery systems. However, full immunisation still eludes a sizeable portion of the child population. A multi-pronged approach—boosting manpower, enhancing digital infrastructure, and increasing community awareness—is critical to achieving the goal of universal immunisation. As we celebrate 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), India must reaffirm its commitment to protect every child and mother through timely and complete vaccination.