World Immunisation Day 2024 | 12 Nov 2024

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

Recently, World Immunisation Day was observed on 10th November to raise awareness about the vital role vaccines play in preventing infectious diseases and protecting public health.  

• Immunisation is making a person resistant to an infectious disease by administering a vaccine to stimulate the immune system. 

What are the Key Facts About Immunisation in India? 

• Key Immunisation Programs in India: 
  • Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): Initially launched as the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1978, it was rebranded as the UIP in 1985 when coverage expanded from urban to rural areas. 
    • In 1992, the UIP was incorporated into the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme and later, in 1997, into the National Reproductive and Child Health Programme.  
    • Since 2005, under the National Rural Health Mission, the UIP has focused on ensuring vaccine access for every child, even in remote areas. 
    • India’s full Immunisation coverage for FY 2023-24 stands at 93.23% nationally. 
  • Mission Indradhanush (MI): MI was launched in December 2014 with a goal of achieving 90% full immunisation coverage. 
    • It focuses on areas with low immunisation rates, including hard-to-reach regions and communities with unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children. 
  • U-WIN Portal: It is a digital platform designed to streamline vaccine delivery and record-keeping, enabling easy access and management of immunisation records. 
    • It allows for ‘Anytime Access’ and ‘Anywhere’ vaccination, offering flexible scheduling options for recipients. 
    • It also generates a universal QR-based eVaccination Certificate and provides the option to create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID. 
• Public Health Milestones:  
  • COVID-19 Vaccination: Between 16th January 2021 and 6th January 2023, India had administered over 220 crore doses, covering 97% of eligible citizens with at least one dose and 90% with both doses. 
  • Polio Eradication: India was officially certified as polio-free in March, 2014. 
  • Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNTE): India eliminated MNTE in April 2015, well ahead of the global target of December 2015.  
  • Yaws-Free: India became the first country to be officially recognized as yaws-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). 
    • Yaws is a chronic bacterial infection affecting skin, bone and cartilage. 
  • Smallpox: Smallpox was eradicated in India in 1977. 
  • Leprosy: Leprosy was eliminated in 2005. 
  • Kala-azar: India is close to achieving the elimination of Kala-azar as a public health problem. 
    • India has achieved WHO certification criteria for two consecutive years and needs to maintain this level for one more year to qualify for the certification.