The Government of India has declared year 2012-13 as the year of intensification of Routine Immunization. As per Immunization summary report of UNICEF and WHO, India’s birth cohort of 2.6 crores is the highest in the world.
Under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), children are provided vaccination to prevent Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT), Polio, Measles, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis (Bacillus Calmette-Guérinie BCG), Hepatitis B and Tetanus for pregnant women. In addition, JE vaccine is provided in selected high disease burden districts of 15 states.
Various steps have been taken under Immunization programme to increase coverage and these include need based central funding and commodity assistance to States, support for logistics such as Alternate Vaccine Delivery (AVD), capacity building of service providers at all levels, strengthening reporting and management of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI), Strengthen supportive supervision at all levels, involvement of ASHA for social mobilization of children, Carrying out immunization weeks in North Eastern States, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Intensified IEC/Behavior change Communication, increasing community participation and Strengthening follow up of children through mother and child tracking system etc.
The number of pregnant women and children covered last year are
Target group | Antigen | Beneficiaries covered in 11-12 |
Pregnant Women | Tetanus Toxoid | 2.29 crores |
Children | BCG | 2.34 crores |
DPT third dose | 2.21 crores | |
OPV third dose | 2.11 crores | |
Measles | 2.19 crores | |
Hepatitis B third dose | 1.07 crores | |
JE vaccine | 0.12 crores |
This information was given in written reply by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in Lok Sabha today.
