A recent study highlights that India is among eight countries that account for half of the world's unvaccinated children as of 2023. This report, compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, sheds light on the challenges and disparities in global immunization efforts. While India has made strides in its immunization coverage over the years, a significant number of children still miss out on essential vaccines, placing them at risk of preventable diseases.

The WHO and UNICEF report indicates that an additional 2.7 million children globally were either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Among these, 1.6 million children in India did not receive a single dose of the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine or the measles-containing vaccine (MCV) in 2023. This places India second globally in terms of the number of "zero-dose" children, only surpassed by Nigeria.

Several factors contribute to this concerning statistic. Geographic disparities, limited access to services in urban-poor, rural, and remote areas, migration, and socio-economic barriers all play a role in hindering full immunization coverage. Reaching every child with the necessary vaccines requires overcoming these obstacles and ensuring that all families have access to immunization services.

India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is one of the world's most extensive public health initiatives, targeting approximately 26 million children and 29 million pregnant women annually through 12 million vaccination sessions. While the UIP has significantly improved immunization coverage over the years, challenges remain in reaching every child, particularly in underserved communities.

The Indian government has implemented various strategies to address these challenges, including Mission Indradhanush and Intensified Mission Indradhanush. These catch-up campaigns aim to ensure that no child is left behind, focusing on areas with low immunization coverage and reaching out to left-out and dropped-out children and pregnant women.

Despite these efforts, the report highlights the need for continued focus and investment in immunization programs. Reaching the unreached, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and strengthening health systems are crucial to ensure that every child in India has the opportunity to be protected from preventable diseases.

India's immunization coverage for 2023-24 stands at 93.5 percent. While low in 2023, India's vaccination efforts have shown positive trends over the years. For MCV (first dose), coverage improved from 56 percent in 2000 to 93 percent in 2023.

The findings of this study serve as a reminder of the importance of immunization in protecting children's health and well-being. By addressing the challenges and disparities in immunization coverage, India can make significant progress in reducing the burden of preventable diseases and ensuring a healthy future for all its children.