Vaccination is the medicinal practice of administering a vaccine into the body to boost an individual’s immune system, helping it develop defenses against specific diseases. A critical aspect of global public health policy, vaccination offers cost-effective prophylaxis against several infectious diseases and can save innumerable lives, especially that of children.
In the past two decades alone, vaccines have saved approximately 37 million lives in low and middle-income countries. Furthermore, for every rupee spent on immunization against ten pathogens in these regions between 2021 and 2030, there will be a return on investment of INR 52. Virtually all common infectious diseases- smallpox, polio, measles, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and most recently, Covid-19- have seen their incidence reduced thanks to the discovery and widespread administration of vaccines.
Historical Role and Achievements of India in Vaccination
India has a long-standing tradition of successful vaccination campaigns, with inoculation practices dating back as far as the 18th century. Notable milestones include the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) launched in 1978 after India was declared free of smallpox. The EPI saw the introduction of vaccines such as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DPT), and Oral Poliovirus (OPV).
As per the latest National Health Family Survey, the proportion of ‘fully vaccinated’ children has reached 76%, marking consistent improvements over two decades. India has similarly made significant strides in favor of sustainable development, working towards worldwide Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by prioritizing vaccination for newborns, infants, and pregnant women.
Major Indian Vaccination Initiatives and Technological Contributions
India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) ensures national vaccination provision against 11 diseases and one disease on a sub-national level. The UIP aims to vaccinate approximately 2.7 crore newborns and 2.9 crore expectant mothers each year.
Mission Indradhanush, launched in 2014, intensifies immunization activities with catch-up rounds, striving to achieve and maintain widespread vaccination coverage countrywide. Additionally, India has adopted technological solutions like the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN), which digitizes vaccine stock management, logistics, and temperature tracking at all stages of vaccine storage.
Challenges Faced during Indian Vaccination Drives
Despite their success, India’s vaccination drives have not been without obstacles. For instance, the Covid-19 pandemic led to disruption of supply chains, affecting routine immunization services and leading to the closure of health facilities. Moreover, widespread misinformation led to vaccine hesitancy among individuals previously trusting of vaccinations.
The Key to India’s Vaccination Success
India’s effective vaccination strategy is due to its capacity building in biomedical research and development, manufacturing capacity, delivery infrastructure, and an effective community health workforce. Alongside building a robust physical infrastructure, India has also invested significantly in behavioural communication campaigns for demand generation, ensuring that accurate and consistent information reaches the masses.
Community health workers, such as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers, conduct door-to-door campaigns to provide information and identify unvaccinated or due-for-a-dose individuals. Engagement with local community influencers, along with mass media messages from national leaders and celebrities, has greatly helped build vaccine confidence.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024