World Immunization Day will be observed across the globe tomorrow with the aim to raise awareness about the vital role vaccines play in preventing infectious diseases and protecting public health. This day also highlights the need for continued efforts to ensure every individual has access to life-saving vaccines.

With its immunization initiatives, India has made significant progress in the elimination of several deadly diseases, including polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus. In the financial year 2023-24, the country’s Full Immunization Coverage reached 93.23 per cent.

Through the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), free vaccines are provided for 12 diseases, including polio, measles, and hepatitis B. U-WIN, a portal that provides fully digitized records of vaccination for pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years, is now available in 11 regional languages, including Hindi. As of September this year, the platform has registered 6.46 crore beneficiaries, conducted over 1.04 crore vaccination sessions, and recorded 23.06 crore administered vaccine doses.

India’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, launched in January 2021, has been a global success. By January last year, the program had administered over 220 crore doses, covering 97 per cent of eligible citizens with at least one dose and 90 per cent with both doses.