Explained: Zero-dose children and why India ranks second globally
A recent Lancet report has highlighted a concerning issue: a large number of children in India are missing essential vaccines, including those who have not received even a single shot. These children are referred to as 'zero-dose' children.The report revealed that India has over 1.44 million zero-dose children, the second-highest in the world after Nigeria. These children are part of a larger group across eight countries where most unvaccinated children live.advertisementIn particular, the study highlights the rise in 'zero-dose children", those who did not receive even the first dose of the basic DTP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).
This raises urgent questions: Who are these children? Why are they being left out? And what can be done to change this?What does 'zero-dose' mean?A zero-dose child is one who has not received even the first dose of the DTP vaccine. This vaccine is a key indicator of access to immunisation services.These children are completely unprotected against common yet life-threatening diseases that vaccines can easily prevent.Zero-dose children often belong to marginalised or hard-to-reach communities. They may live in remote rural areas, urban slums, or regions affected by conflict, poor healthcare infrastructure, and deep social inequality.In many cases, their families may be unaware of vaccination schedules or lack access to nearby health facilities.advertisementWhat's behind India's rising numbers?India has made significant progress in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases over the past two decades. However, the Covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted routine immunisation programmes.
A zero-dose child is one who has not received even the first dose of the DTP vaccine. (Photo: Reuters)
Lockdowns, fear of visiting health centres, overburdened hospitals, and the diversion of health resources toward managing the pandemic all contributed to a sharp drop in vaccine coverage, according to the Lancet report.Globally, the number of zero-dose children dropped slightly from 14.3 million in 2022 to 13.9 million in 2023. In India, the number improved from 2.7 million in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2022, but it remains high — especially for a country with a strong public health record, including programmes like Mission Indradhanush.Why does this matter?Children who miss out on vaccines are more likely to fall seriously ill or die from preventable diseases like measles, polio, and diphtheria, illnesses that have been nearly eliminated in many parts of the world.advertisementThey also risk spreading these infections to others, particularly babies too young to be vaccinated or those with weakened immune systems.Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available. As India moves toward Universal Health Coverage, closing the gap on zero-dose children must become a top priority.Every missed vaccine is a missed chance at a healthy future and every child left behind is a reminder of the work still to be done.- Ends
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