IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME

IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME

Subject: Government Schemes

Context: Global and regional estimates of Covid-19’s impact on routine childhood immunisation indicates unparalleled disruptions in delivery of vaccines against measles (MCV1) and diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) (DTP3) — with, according to a new modelling study published in The Lancet.

Concept:

• 2020’s coverage likely falling in some regions to levels not seen in over a decade
• Estimates suggest twice as many children may have missed doses of each vaccine than expected due to pandemic disruptions in high-income countries in Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa and the Middle East.

UNIVERSAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME

• Immunization Programme is one of the key interventions for protection of children from life threatening conditions, which are preventable. It is one of the largest immunization programme in the world and a major public health intervention in the country.
• Immunization Programme in India was introduced in 1978 as Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI)
• The programme gained momentum in 1985 and was expanded as Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to be implemented in phased manner to cover all districts in the country by 1989-90.
• UIP become a part of Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme in 1992 Since, 1997, immunization activities have been an important component of National Reproductive and Child Health Programme and is currently one of the key areas under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) since 2005
• Under the Universal Immunization Programme, Government of India is providing vaccination to prevent seven vaccine preventable diseases i.e.
• Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B, Hiaemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Diarrhea