Vaccination in India

COVID-19 vaccination roll out in AIIMS, New Delhi, India on 16 January 2021

A 5ml vial of Covaxin BBV152

Vaccination in India refers to the practice of administering vaccines to the population in order to protect against various infectious diseases. India, with its vast population and diverse healthcare challenges, has implemented several vaccination programs over the years to combat diseases such as polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and more recently, COVID-19.

History

The history of vaccination in India dates back to the early 19th century when the smallpox vaccine was first introduced. Over the years, the country has made significant progress in the field of immunization. The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was introduced in 1978, followed by the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) in 1985, which aimed at making vaccines available to all children across the country. The introduction of the UIP marked a significant milestone in India's public health history, leading to the eradication of polio in 2014.

Current Vaccination Programs

India's current vaccination strategy is implemented through the Universal Immunization Program (UIP), which provides free vaccines against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases to approximately 26.7 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women annually. The program includes vaccines for hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, pneumonia, and rotavirus, among others.

In addition to the UIP, the Indian government launched the Indradhanush mission in 2014 to strengthen and expand the coverage of immunization across the country. The mission aims to reach unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

COVID-19 Vaccination

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an unprecedented vaccination drive in India. The country approved multiple vaccines for emergency use, including Covishield (developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India) and Covaxin (developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech). The government launched the world's largest vaccination campaign in January 2021, aiming to vaccinate a significant portion of its population.

Challenges

Despite the progress, vaccination in India faces several challenges, including logistical issues, vaccine hesitancy, and disparities in access between urban and rural areas. The vast geographical diversity and population size pose significant hurdles in ensuring uniform vaccine coverage. Moreover, misinformation and cultural beliefs contribute to vaccine hesitancy in some communities.

Future Directions

The future of vaccination in India looks towards integrating more vaccines into the UIP, improving cold chain infrastructure, and leveraging technology to track vaccination coverage and stock levels. There is also a focus on public awareness campaigns to combat misinformation and increase vaccine acceptance among the population.