WHO and UNICEF Estimates of National Immunisation Coverage (WUENIC)

• 18 Jul 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently released WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunisation coverage (WUENIC) revealed a slight dip in childhood immunisation in 2023 compared to 2022.

• In another development, a quiet digital revolution is unfolding as part of the government’s pilot project to register pregnant women and children on U-Win.

What are the Key Highlights of the WUENIC?

• About:
  • Each year, WHO and UNICEF jointly review reports submitted by Member States regarding national immunisation coverage, finalized survey reports, and data from published and grey literature.
• Major Findings:
  • Immunisation was stalled globally in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, as compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
  • It reveals a slight dip in childhood immunisation in India in 2023 compared to 2022.
  • There was a two percentage point dip (from 95% in 2022 to 93% in 2023) in the coverage of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccines, used as a proxy for the number of “zero-dose” children.
    • Zero-dose children are those who have not received any routine immunisation.
  • It shows that there were 1.6 million zero-dose children in India in 2023, up from 1.1 million in 2022, but much less than 2.73 million seen in 2021. 
  • In 2023, 91% received the third DPT vaccine dose, down 2% from 2022 but still above the global average of 84%.
  • In absolute terms, 2.04 million children remained under-vaccinated in 2023, slightly lower than the 2.11 million children in 2019.

What is U-Win?

• About:
  • U-WIN, the initiative aimed at digitising India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), has been rolled out in a pilot phase.
    • Following the success of the Co-WIN platform, the government has established an electronic registry for routine vaccinations.
• Objective:

  • The platform will be used to register and vaccinate every pregnant woman, record her delivery outcome, register every newborn delivery, administer birth doses and all vaccination events thereafter.

  • The U-WIN is going to be the single source of information for immunisation services, updating vaccination status, delivery outcome, and reports like antigen-wise coverage, etc.
• Benefits:
  • Healthcare workers and programme managers will be able to generate real-time data on routine immunisation sessions and vaccination coverage for better planning and vaccine distribution.
  • For pregnant women and children, vaccine acknowledgement and immunisation cards linked to ABHA ID (Ayushman Bharat Heath Account) will be generated and all states and districts can access a common database to track and vaccinate beneficiaries.
  • Upon complete digitisation of the immunization programme, beneficiaries will receive instant certificates which can also be downloaded and stored in digi-lockers. 
  • An effective surveillance system will help create an evidence base to enable the planning and deployment of effective interventions.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q1. Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017)

1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only 

(d) 3 and 4 only

Ans: (a)

Q2. Which of the following gives ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world? (2017)

(a) World Economic Forum

(b) UN Human Rights Council

(c) UN Women

(d) World Health Organization

Ans: (a)

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Mains

Q. “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (2021)