HEALTHCARE IN INDIA IMMUNISATION PROGRAMS
Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1974:
- The year 2024 marks 50 years since the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1974, now known as the Essential Program on Immunization.
- This program has evolved to provide protection against many vaccine-preventable diseases and has made significant contributions to global health.
ABOUT ESSENTIAL PROGRAM FOR IMMUNISATION
UNIVERSAL IMMUNISATION PROGRAM OF INDIA
- Launched in 1978 as the EPI, India renamed the program as the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985.
- 100% Funded by the central government.
- UIP is one of the key interventions for protection of children from life threatening conditions by providing vaccination.
- The UIP aims to rapidly increase immunization coverage, improve service quality, establish a reliable cold chain system to health facilities, monitor performance, and achieve self-sufficiency in vaccine production.
- All pregnant women and children can get vaccinated at government or private health facilities or designated immunization session sites.
DISEASES COVERED
- Under UIP, free vaccination is provided against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.
- 9 diseases are covered nationally:
- Diphtheria,
- Pertussis,
- Tetanus,
- Polio,
- Measles,
- Rubella,
- Severe Childhood Tuberculosis,
- Hepatitis B, and
- Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus Influenza type B.
- 3 diseases are covered sub-nationally:
- Rotavirus diarrhea,
- Pneumococcal Pneumonia, and
- Japanese Encephalitis.
- Rotavirus vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine are in expansion, while JE vaccine is only provided in endemic districts.
MISSION INDRADHANUSH
- Mission Indradhanush (MI) – 2014 Launched in December 2014, Mission Indradhanush is a targeted immunization programme aimed at vaccinating children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. It focuses on districts with the highest number of missed children.
- Phases Completed: 4 phases have been completed.
- Children Vaccinated:94 crore children, with 76.36 lakh fully immunized.
- Pregnant Women Vaccinated:84 lakh pregnant women were vaccinated against tetanus.
- Impact: Full immunization coverage increased from 1% to 6.7%
- Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) – 2017 Launched in October 2017, IMI aimed to increase immunization coverage in districts with low immunization rates.
- Coverage Areas: 121 districts in 16 States, 52 districts in North Eastern States, and 17 urban areas.
- Immunization Outcomes: 39.19 lakh children and 8.09 lakh pregnant women vaccinated across 190 districts/urban areas.
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