Recently, numerous global agencies, including the United Nations, have initiated the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) during World Immunisation Week. This significant action will significantly aid in meeting the UN-assigned Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3, which focuses on Good Health and Well-being. The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted routine immunization across the globe.
About the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030)
The IA2030 envisions an ambitious and overarching global strategy for vaccines and immunization throughout the decade from 2021–2030. The agenda employs insights gained from the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) and seeks to address the unfulfilled targets of the GVAP that were initially set to be met under the global immunisation strategy of the ‘Decade of vaccines’ (2011–2020). The GVAP was designed to fulfil the vision of the Decade of Vaccines; to ensure all individuals and communities enjoyed lives devoid of vaccine preventable diseases.
The Conceptual Framework of IA2030
IA2030 is constructed on a conceptual framework with seven strategic priorities, aimed at ensuring immunization significantly contributes to stronger primary health care and the attainment of universal health coverage. It is reinforced by four core principles: putting people at the centre, being led by countries, being implemented through broad partnerships, and being driven by data.
Targets of IA2030
Global agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and others have set a target as part of IA2030 to avoid 50 million vaccine-preventable infections over the course of this decade. Plans are also in place to decrease the number of zero-dose children by 50%. Zero-dose children refer to those who have not received any vaccines through immunisation programmes. Furthermore, aims include achieving 90% coverage for essential vaccines given in childhood and adolescence, and the completion of 500 introductions of new or under-utilised vaccines at a national or subnational level.
IA2030 and Equity in Immunization
The UN agencies hope to ensure that the benefits of immunisation are distributed equitably within and between countries through IA2030.
Priority Populations for IA2030
The new programme focuses on a ‘bottoms-up’ approach, prioritizing reaching out to populations that are currently unreachable particularly marginalized communities, individuals in conflict-affected settings, and mobile populations.
India’s Initiatives on Immunization
Recently, the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 scheme was launched to cover children and pregnant women who missed routine immunisation owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The immunization programme in India was introduced in 1978 as the ‘Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This initiative was later modified as the ‘Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)’ in 1985.
India’s Global Contribution to Vaccination
India is a significant supplier to COVAX, a worldwide initiative aiming for equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, led by several organizations including UNICEF, Gavi, and WHO. In addition, India initiated its ‘Vaccine Maitri’ to supply Covid vaccines to different nations.
World Immunisation Week
Celebrated every year in the last week of April, World Immunisation Week promotes the usage of vaccines to protect people of all ages from diseases. Immunization refers to the process of protecting people against illnesses caused by infection with microorganisms. It has been a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives annually. The theme for 2021 is “Vaccines bring us closer”.
