Is India's Immunization Coverage Surpassing Global Averages?
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Synopsis
India has made remarkable strides in immunization, reducing zero-dose children to just 0.06% by 2024. The government emphasizes that comparisons with other nations must consider its vast population and impressive vaccination rates, positioning India as a leader in child health.
Key Takeaways
- India's zero-dose children reduced to 0.06% in 2024.
- High vaccination coverage surpasses global averages.
- Significant drop in DTP dropout rates from 7% to 2%.
- Immunization strategies focus on antigen-specific responses.
- Recognized by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.
New Delhi, June 28 (NationPress) Despite a recent Lancet publication identifying India as one of eight nations with a significant number of zero-dose children—those who have not received any routine childhood vaccines—the Union government asserted that the country’s vast population and impressive vaccination rates should be factored into such evaluations.
The government emphasized that India's antigen-specific immunization rates exceed global averages across all vaccines.
In essence, India’s vaccination approach is strategically designed to target antigens that elicit immune responses to combat pathogens (such as viruses and bacteria).
The international study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, revealed that in 2023, more than half of the world’s 15.7 million unvaccinated children resided in merely eight countries. These were predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa (53%) and South Asia (13%): Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia, and Brazil.
The government pointed out that through persistent efforts and proactive vaccination campaigns nationwide, the proportion of zero-dose children in India has decreased to 0.06% in 2024, down from 0.11% in 2023.
These statistics, which position India as a global leader in child health, have also been recognized by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation in its 2024 report, as stated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Additionally, referencing the WUNEIC report 2023, the Ministry highlighted that national coverage for Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP)—DTP1 and DTP3—ranks among the highest when compared to other nations with a substantial number of zero-dose children.
According to the WUENIC 2023 data, India has achieved a DTP-1 (Penta-1) coverage of 93%, which translates to 2.47 crore out of 2.65 crore infants vaccinated, notably surpassing Nigeria’s 70% during the same period.
Furthermore, the dropout rate from DTP-1 to DTP-3 has significantly declined from 7% in 2013 to 2% in 2023, and coverage for Measles has risen from 83% in 2013 to 93% in 2023.
When comparing countries based on the percentage of zero-dose children relative to their total population, nations such as Yemen (1.68%), Sudan (1.45%), Angola (1.1%), Afghanistan (1.1%), Nigeria (0.98%), DR Congo (0.82%), Ethiopia (0.72%), Indonesia (0.23%), and Pakistan (0.16%) have significantly higher rates than India’s 0.11% in 2023, according to the latest WUNEIC report.
Thus, the Ministry asserted, “Any comparison of India with other nations facing high rates of zero-dose children must consider India’s immense population and substantial vaccination coverage.”
“Consequently, any analysis based solely on isolated factors does not accurately reflect the country's achievements in its immunization initiatives,” it added.
The Ministry reiterated that India’s steadfast commitment to immunization is evident through milestones such as the eradication of polio in 2014, the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015, and the launch of the measles-rubella campaign planned for 2025.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize India's unique position in global child health. While being labeled among countries with high zero-dose children, we must appreciate the scale of India's vaccination efforts and the significant strides made in reducing these numbers. The emphasis on comprehensive data is vital for a fair assessment of our progress.
NationPress
28/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are zero-dose children?
Zero-dose children are those who have never received any routine childhood vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
How has India's vaccination coverage changed recently?
India has reduced the percentage of zero-dose children from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024, showcasing significant improvement in its immunization efforts.
Why does India's population size matter in vaccine comparisons?
India's large population size means that while the number of zero-dose children may appear significant, the vaccination coverage rate is also high, making direct comparisons with smaller countries misleading.
What is the current DTP vaccination coverage in India?
As of 2023, India has achieved a DTP-1 (Penta-1) coverage of 93%, which is one of the highest rates globally.
What steps has India taken to improve immunization?
India has implemented intensified vaccination campaigns, achieving milestones like the elimination of polio and expanding coverage for measles-rubella.
