Latest news with #UniversalImmunizationProgramme
The Print
17 hours ago
- Health
- The Print
Decline in percentage of zero-dose children due to govt's proactive, inclusive approach: Health Ministry
The ministry credited the decline in such children to its unwavering commitment to immunisation evident through its Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which provides free vaccination services annually to 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0′-1 year). According to WHO, zero-dose children are defined as those who lack access to or are never reached by routine immunisation services. They are operationally measured as those who did not receive their first dose of DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis). New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) India's percentage of zero-dose children to the total population has declined from 0.11 per cent in 2023 to 0.06 per cent in 2024, positioning it as a global exemplar in child health, as acknowledged by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation in its 2024 report, the Union Health Ministry said here. At the same time, it asserted that any comparison of India with any other countries with high burden zero dose children needs to take into consideration India's large population size and high vaccination coverage rate. Vaccination remains one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health interventions, the ministry said in a statement, noting that the government has taken a proactive and inclusive approach to reach underserved populations. 'Our healthcare workers ASHAs and ANMs conduct over 1.3 crore immunisation sessions across the country,' the statement said. 'As a result of the continued, sustained efforts and intensified implementation of vaccination drives and campaign across the country, the percentage of zero-dose children to the total population has declined from 0.11 per cent in 2023 to 0.06 per cent in 2024,' it said The approach remains progressive, and continuous efforts are being made in the current year to further reduce the burden of zero-dose children in the country, it said. These achievements have positioned India as a global exemplar in child health, as acknowledged by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) in its 2024 report, it said. The effect of the increased number of lifesaving vaccines in reducing mortality and morbidity in children due to diarrhoea, pneumonia, meningitis and encephalitis is also clearly observable, the statement said. According to the latest SRS (2020-22), the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has declined from 130/lakh live births in 2014-16 to 88/lakh live births in 2020-22. The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN-MMEIG 2000-2023) report says that the MMR in India stands at 80 per lakh live births, reflecting an 86 per cent decline relative to the global reduction of 48 per cent since 1990, it stated. According to the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME 2024 Report), India achieved a 78 per cent decline in the Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) surpassing the global reduction of 61 per cent and 70 per cent decline in the Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) compared to 54 per cent globally during 1990 – 2023. In addition to focused attention on increasing vaccination coverage, India's UIP embodies a comprehensive range of vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Till 2013, there were only six available vaccines in the programme. Currently, India's UIP covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases and has seen significant expansion, the statement said. With continued focus on improving vaccine coverage, India has taken a proactive and inclusive approach to reach underserved populations. The Government of India in consultation with all states and UTs, has launched targeted campaigns to address challenges among zero-dose children, particularly in urban slums, peri-urban areas, migratory populations, hard-to-reach regions, and communities affected by vaccine hesitancy. 'To amplify our reach, we are leveraging technology and community engagement. The U-WIN platform tracks immunisation status digitally, ensuring no child is missed. 'Public awareness campaigns are being intensified using mass media, community radio, social media, and even street plays to educate families. Healthcare workers, ASHAs, and ANMs will go door-to-door, not just to vaccinate, but to sensitize the beneficiaries about the benefits of vaccination,' the statement said. Some key initiatives include roll out of Zero Dose Implementation Plan 2024 across 143 districts in 11 states with a high burden of unvaccinated children; Mission Indradhanush (since 2014), intensified in 2017 in collaboration with state governments, it has vaccinated 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women — previously unreached or under-vaccinated. The initiatives also include Pulse Polio Campaigns, and Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) organised regularly for immunisation and outreach activities at the community level. The annual birth cohort in India (2.6 crore) exceeds the total population of several countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Finland, and Switzerland. Given the varying sizes of the countries across the globe, the percentage comparison shows it at par with the vaccination coverage levels observed in many high-income countries for e.g., New Zealand (DTP-1 93%), Germany & Finland (DPT-3 91%), Sweden (MCV-1 93%), Luxembourg (MCV-2 90%), Ireland (PCV-3 83%), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Rota C 90%). (WUNEIC report 2023), the statement said. The comparative results of countries on zero dose children as a percentage of the total population shows that Yemen (1.68%), Sudan (1.45%), Angola (1.1%), Afghanistan (1.1%), Nigeria (0.98%), DR Congo (0.82%), Ethiopia (0.72%), Indonesia (0.23%), Pakistan (0.16%) have far more zero dose children as a percentage of their population compared to India's (0.11% during 2023 as per the last Wuneic report released. Any comparison of India with any other countries with high burden zero dose children needs to take into consideration India's large population size and high vaccination coverage rate, the statement said. Therefore, any interpretation or analysis based on isolated factors does not lend credence to the country's progress on its immunization program, it emphasised. PTI PLB RT RT RT RT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Centre rolls out drive to immunise children in high-burden districts
Union ministry of health and family welfare rolled out a special drive to identify unvaccinated children in high-burden districts to expand the national immunisation coverage, people familiar with the matter said. Centre rolls out drive to immunise children in high-burden districts The drive, called zero dose implementation plan, will target 143 districts in 11 states with a high burden of children who have not received any immunisation dose so far, according to data. 'As part of this plan, special immunisation camps are being held to ensure all unvaccinated children are identified and vaccinated. The larger aim is to leave no children unvaccinated,' said a senior official, requesting anonymity. In a statement issued on Saturday, the health ministry said that the number of children who have not been immunised— wholly or partially— is steadily decreasing in India. 'India's percentage of zero-dose children to the total population has declined from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024, positioning it as a global exemplar in child health, as acknowledged by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation in its 2024 report,' read the health ministry statement. India's Universal Immunization Programme currently covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases and has seen significant expansion. Mission Indradhanush, intensified in 2017 in collaboration with state governments, has vaccinated 54.6 million children and 13.2 million pregnant women, according to government data. Through National Immunization Days and Sub-National Immunization Days, India has maintained polio-free status since 2014, said the health ministry. As per the UN-MMEIG 2000-2023 report, India's maternal mortality rate stands at 80 per 100,000 live births, reflecting an 86% decline relative to the global reduction of 48% since 1990. As per the UNIGME 2024 report, India achieved a 78% decline in the Under-Five Mortality Rate surpassing the global reduction of 61% and 70% decline in the Neonatal Mortality Rate compared to 54% globally during 1990 – 2023. 'India's antigen-wise immunisation coverage surpasses global averages across all antigens. India's consistent prioritization of the Universal Immunization Program reflects in its disease elimination milestones and focus on last-mile vaccine delivery,' read the statement. The Lancet published a paper on world's children who have missed vaccination on Tuesday. According to the paper, India has had the most number of unvaccinated children— 1.4 million— after Nigeria (2.5million), of the 15.7 million unvaccinated children globally in 2023. The paper said that at least half of the world's 15.7 million unvaccinated children in the same year were living in just eight countries, with 53% in sub-Saharan Africa and 13% in south Asia. The Democratic Republic of Congo (882,000), Ethiopia (782,000), Somalia (710,000), Sudan (627,000), Indonesia (538,000), and Brazil (452,000) were the other countries with high unvaccinated children load globally. In the south Asian region, India ranked number one with the highest number of zero-dose children in 2023, followed by Pakistan (419,000), Nepal (11,000), and Bangladesh (6,000). In response to the data, the health ministry noted, 'Any comparison with countries bearing a high burden of zero-dose children need to take into consideration India's substantial population size and robust immunisation coverage.'
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
What is RSV and why are infants especially at risk in India?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly known as RSV, is the leading cause of respiratory illness in children and infants worldwide. In India, RSV has also become a major issue for parents as well as pediatricians, particularly in the post-monsoon and winter seasons when cases surge. Although the nation continues to establish complete surveillance information, existing studies in tertiary care facilities show that RSV contributes 30% to 50% of bronchiolitis and pneumonia incidents in children aged two years and below. RSV is usually responsible for the symptoms of a cold in older children and adults. Nevertheless, in infants—especially those under six months of age, those who were premature at birth, or those with underlying health issues—the virus may cause severe lower respiratory tract infections, including bronchiolitis (inflammation of small airways) and pneumonia. These two diseases usually require hospitalization, and hospitalization rates between 3 and 5 per 100 infants less than one year of age per year have been estimated in India. The risks are not equal throughout the nation. Geographic and socioeconomic variations account for both the risk of and outcome of RSV infection. Children living in lower-income populations or in densely populated urban environments can have increased exposure from lesser access to healthcare, suboptimal ventilation, and slower diagnosis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo Seeing the international burden of RSV, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently supported maternal RSV vaccination as a prevention approach. This entails immunizing pregnant women so that antibodies are passed on to the unborn child, providing immunity in the vulnerable early months of life. Although not yet included in India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), Indian health authorities, such as the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, are in the process of evaluating the vaccine's safety, effectiveness, and affordability in India. Phased introduction in high-risk groups could be the initial step. Apart from vaccines, monoclonal antibodies too have been promising in the prevention of RSV-related complications. These provide passive immunity in a single dose of injection. But the big constraint is cost. Without government incentives or being covered under public health schemes, these therapies could prove to be out of reach for the majority of Indian families. Differential pricing models and collaborations with insurance companies will become paramount in order to expand access. More encouragingly, Indian drug makers are not idle either. Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India have initiated RSV research programs and are likely to bank on their experience in the production of pediatric and maternal vaccines. Tie-ups with global firms can also open the way for local production of monoclonal antibodies, leading to costs savings as well as wider availability. Experts put wide availability of RSV vaccines and antibodies in India at least 2 to 4 years down the road. Early access could start in corporate or private hospitals dealing with high-risk pregnancies. In the private sector, however, the incorporation of RSV prevention in the national immunization program will be crucial to making RSV vaccines and antibodies accessible and beneficial for all Indian infants—irrespective of birthplace. Article courtesy: Dr. Shreya Dubey - Consultant - Neonatology & Paediatrics, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram Russia's Lavrov Sounds Alarm Over German Army Buildup Plan; 'Very Worrying, Need To…' One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Medical conclave urges stronger push for gender-neutral HPV vaccine for boys
Pune: Boys, along with girls, must be vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), doctors at the launch of the "Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025" last week said. Panelists said that govt backs vaccination for girls under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), but boys and men, who are carriers of the virus, are equally affected by HPV and cancer-causing HPV and hence must also be vaccinated. Speakers emphasised that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the sexual organs, affecting both men and women. With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 to 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. Medical director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital Dr Sanjay Lalwani, who anchored the panel discussion, said the indigenous vaccine, Cervavac, is effective, safe and affordable. He added, "It is a gender-neutral vaccine and boys must also get vaccinated. While women can be screened regularly through a pap smear test, as of now men do not have any screening programme. So, boys between the age of 9 and 14 years must also be vaccinated, just like girls." Vaccination can protect partners from HPV-related cancers in adult life. There is no specific way to test directly for HPV in men that is approved for clinical use. The American Sexual Health Association has observed that men are typically screened clinically with a visual inspection to check for lesions such as warts. While still not routinely done, anyone with a history of receptive anal sex may want to speak with his or her healthcare provider about having an anal pap test, the association said. Dr Meenu Agarwal, secretary-general of International Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy, said, she sees young girls and women with genital warts and cervical cancer cases. "Now, when we go to the root of the problem, we realize that it is a sexually transmitted disease and that is the reason we need to vaccinate both boys and girls because we need to take care of the source of the spread." The rationale is to prevent different types of cancers that can occur in men as well, Dr Shirish Kankariya, former president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, said. Parag Deshmukh, executive director, Serum Institute of India said, "Conclaves across the country will help increase understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical and other cancers." The conclave is part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the institute. 77k Cervical Cancer Deaths India bears a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in the country According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths, annually Up to 90% of anal cancers & 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV
