Despite the fact that regular immunisation has been slowed by the Covid-19 outbreak, the government recently identified and covered 43.6 lakh children and 11 lakh pregnant women under its flagship Mission Indradhanush initiative.
During the initial part of the fourth cycle of the intensified programme (IMI 4.0), approximately 4.7 lakh sessions were held in 11 states between February and April to vaccinate those who were due or overdue for their routine immunisation, according to an official.
The Mission intends to close the gaps and achieve long-term results in the Universal Immunization Program, which vaccinates roughly 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.7 crore children each year.
The Centre has launched the fourth round of Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI 4.0) to counteract the influence of Covid-19 on routine vaccination among youngsters and pregnant women who may have forgotten to get their shots at the right time.
Full immunisation coverage among children aged 12-23 months has increased significantly from 62 percent to 76 percent across India, according to the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).
Unicef India Chief of Advocacy Zafrin Chowdhury underlined the importance of vaccination during World Immunisation Week (WIW), saying that, among other things, Covid has proved the value of immunisation in averting serious disease.
“The largest vaccines drive of Covid vaccination has shown us the immense power of vaccines and vaccinators. In the same way, we must now make strides on lifesaving routine immunization for all children, especially those who have not been reached, left out or dropped out. Vaccines work! Vaccines protect children from preventable diseases giving them the gift of a healthy, active life and helps them reach their full potential,” Chowdhury said.
“As we hope to emerge from the pandemic, this WIW brings us an opportunity to renew our commitment to create a fresh momentum to raise awareness and action on the importance of completing vaccination for all children and for greater investment in the health systems,” she added.
IMI 4.0 will be implemented in three stages in 416 districts in 33 states and territories across the country.
11 states (Assam, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, and Chhattisgarh) undertook the Mission in the first round (February-April 2022). From April to May, the rounds will be held in 22 more states. Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Puducherry, Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Telangana, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh are among the states and union territories, according to the announcement.
