Lok Sabha Question No. 269 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-09
Subject: National Immunization Coverage
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 269 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH AUGUST, 2024

## NATIONALIMMUNIZATION COVERAGE

- *269 COM. SELVARAJ V: SHRI SUBBARAYAN K:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that 2023 report of World Health
- Organization/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC) indicating India as having the second largest number of kids who did not receive any vaccine at all in 2023, that is 1.6 million, just after Nigeria with 2.1 million zero dose children; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the Government's reaction thereto?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) & ( b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 269 FOR 9 TH AUGUST, 2024

(a) & (b) The Government is aware of the 2023 report of World Health Organization / UNICEF estimates of National immunization coverage (WUENIC) on India ' s position on zero dose children.

However, there has been a flawed comparison with countries having high burden zero dose children as it has not taken into consideration India ' s population and high vaccination coverage.

As a percentage, Zero Dose children account for 0.11% of the country ' s total population. With continued efforts, there has been a commensurate decrease in drop out percentage from DTP-1 to DTP-3 from 7% in 2013 to 2% in 2023 and increased coverage of Measles from 83% in 2013 to 93% in 2023.

From a figure of 26 lakh zero dose children in 2013, the number of unvaccinated children (zero-dose children) has dropped to 16 lakh zero dose children in 2023(WUENIC report).

The vaccination coverage of over 90% for most antigens covered under the program is also at par with many high-income countries. India ' s 83.46% exceeds the global vaccine coverage average (72.77%) for WHO recommended vaccines.

Comparatively, Nigeria has achieved a DPT1 coverage of only 70% as against 93% for India (WUENIC 2023).

Given the large population size, our country has the highest cohort of vaccinated children, 2.5 crore children out of the cohort of 2.6 crore with Full Immunization Coverage at 93.5% for FY 2023-24 and 1.3 crore vaccination sessions. The Immunization Program of our Nation is the largest Public Health Initiative globally.

The Government has taken several measures in coordination with the States/UTs to ensure that all eligible children receive missed /due doses of vaccines.

- I. Zero Dose Implementation Plan 2024, has been developed for 143 districts in 11 states with a high number of unvaccinated children.
- II. Mission Indradhanush (MI)/ Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) are special vaccination campaigns conducted in collaboration with states having high number of unvaccinated children. Till 2023, 12 phases of MI/IMI have been conducted where 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women have been vaccinated.
- III. National Immunization days (NIDs) and Sub National Immunization days (SNIDs) for Pulse Polio program are special vaccination campaigns carried out every year. India has been maintaining polio free status since 2014 onwards.
- IV. Hosting of VHND (Village Health and Nutrition Day) on designated days for Immunization activities are done.
- V. State task force on Immunization (STFI), District task force on Immunization (DTFI) and Block task force on immunization (BTFI) ensure effective implementation of the drives that are regularly taken.
- VI. Regular information education and communication campaigns are held.
- VII. TheMinistryof Health and Family Welfare has also developed the UWIN portal for the registration and recording of all vaccination events of children and pregnant women.

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