India Achieves Drop in Children Missing All Routine Vaccines from 0.11 Percent to 0.06 Percent in 2024 as per UN IGME Report.

International

According to a recent UN IGME 2024 report and Ministry of Health data, the percentage of zero-dose children (those not receiving even one routine vaccine) in India fell significantly from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024—aided by intensified vaccination campaigns and targeted outreach.


      - India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) now covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, delivering services annually to approximately 2.6 crore infants and 2.9 crore pregnant women through over 1.3 crore immunisation sessions—an essential infrastructure for reducing vaccination gaps.

      - A key push has been the Zero Dose Implementation Plan 2024, launched across 143 districts in 11 states, targeting unvaccinated children in urban slums, migratory, and hard-to-reach communities, supplemented by strong community engagement and digital tracking via platforms like U-WIN.

      - The government also credited India's success to Mission Indradhanush, operational since 2014, which has vaccinated over 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women—reinforcing efforts to eliminate polio (2014) and neonatal tetanus (2015), and launching a new Measles-Rubella campaign in 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) India's progress earned global recognition with the Measles and Rubella Champion Award, presented at the American Red Cross headquarters in March 2024, and established India as a “global exemplar” in child health.

      (ii) Alongside vaccination, encouraging trends in child mortality—a 78% drop in under-five mortality and notable neonatal improvements—underscore the broader impact of immunisation and enhanced maternal-child healthcare systems.

(iii) Government sources emphasize that comparing raw numbers of zero-dose children internationally overlooks India’s massive population base and high coverage, positioning India’s 0.06% figure among the world’s best.

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