Image Source: Jammu Links Kashmir
India has achieved a milestone in pediatric health, with the proportion of zero-dose children—no vaccine administered—declining from 0.11% in 2023 to a mere 0.06% in 2024, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced. This amazing reversal, achieved in the course of one of the world's biggest and most complex immunization campaigns, is being hailed as a global standard in public health.
Key Highlights:
• Sustained Progress: The near reduction by half of zero-dose children in just one year is a success of intensified immunization campaigns and sustained outreach in urban and rural areas.
• Global Acclaim: India's achievement has been noted by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) in its 2024 report. India was also awarded the highly sought Measles and Rubella Champion Award by The Measles and Rubella Partnership in March 2024.
• Robust Infrastructure: More than 1.3 crore immunization sessions are conducted annually, covering 2.6 crore infants and 2.9 crore pregnant women, taking the vaccines to a broad and equitable distribution.
• More Health Gains: The trend also appears in under-five mortality and neonatal mortality, with India being ahead of global averages in both of these.
Prospects: India's success in reducing zero-dose children indicates the country's commitment towards universal health coverage. Because of continued investment in community health and creative outreach, the country is well-positioned to further solidify its position as a world leader in child immunization and health equity.
Sources: Economic Times, DD News
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