India implementing largest immunisation programme globally: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

India is implementing the largest inoculation drive globally where annually over 3 crore pregnant women and 26 crore children are covered through the Universal Immunisation Programme Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on MondayThe minister launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush IMI 40 virtually in presence of health officials of various states and Union TerritoriesThe IMI 40 will have three rounds and will be conducted in 416 districts including 75 districts identified for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav across 33 states and UTs a health ministry statement saidIndia is implementing the largest immunisation programme globally where we annually cover more than 3 crore pregnant women and 26 crore children through the Universal Immunisation Programme UIP he saidMandaviya noted that while the pace of routine immunization has slowed down due to Covid19 pandemic IMI 40 will immensely contribute in filling the gaps and make lasting gains towards universal immunizationIt will ensure that Routine Immunization RI services reach the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women he saidIn the first round FebApril 2022 11 states will conduct IMI 40 These are Assam Uttarakhand Gujarat Jammu and Kashmir Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland Rajasthan Sikkim Tripura and Chhattisgarh the statement saidThe others 22 states will conduct the rounds from April to May These states and UTs include Himachal Pradesh Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh Manipur Arunachal Pradesh Odisha Bihar Puducherry Delhi Punjab Goa Tamil Nadu Haryana Telangana Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh Kerala West Bengal Madhya Pradesh the statement saidThe Union health minister saluted the commitment and dedication of the frontline vaccinators who brave difficult terrain and weather to ensure that the farthest village and household are covered with the protection of vaccinesThe healthcare workers are providing a great service to the nation Their dedication is an inspiration to me and to others for contributing to nation building he addedMandaviya expressed satisfaction that efforts have been reflected in the latest National Family Health Survey which has indicated increased coverageVaccines are one of the most effective affordable and safe methods to protect infants children and pregnant women from diseases and mortalityWith the aim to increase the full immunisation coverage the prime minister launched Mission Indradhanush in December 2014 to cover the partially and unvaccinated pregnant women and children in pockets of low immunization coverage highrisk and hardtoreach areas and protect them from vaccine preventable diseases he saidMission Indradhansuh was also identified as one of the flagship schemes under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan 16850 villages across 541 districts and Extended Gram Swaraj Abhiyan 48929 villages across 112 aspirational districts the statement saidHighlighting the important role of vaccines in public health the minister highlighted the achievements of the countrywide Covid19 vaccination drive under which around 170 crore doses have been administered till dateThis achievement of India has been acknowledged and applauded globally he addedHe emphasised the need of Sabka Prayas and Jan Lok Bhaagidaari to achieve the goal of universal immunisation in the countryOnly with the collective and collaborative efforts of the Centre the states and beneficiaries shall be able to achieve the target of full immunization coverage in the country he statedThe minister urged states to work holistically at different levels coordinating with district administration panchayats and the urban local bodies the statement saidThe minister virtually launched the IMI 40 portal and released the Operational Guidelines for IMI 40 Strengthening Immunization in Urban Areas A framework for Actionrdquo a handbook for Mahila Arogya Samiti on Urban Immunization and awareness material developed as part of the campaignTill date 10 phases of Mission Indradhanush have been completed covering 701 districts across the countryAs of April 2021 during the various phases of Mission Indradhanush a total of 386 crore children and 968 lakh pregnant women have been vaccinated the statement saidThe first two phases of Mission Indradhanush resulted in 67 percent increase in full immunization coverage in a year A survey IMI CES carried out in 190 districts covered in Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5th phase of Mission Indradhanush shows 185 per cent points increase in full immunization coverage as compared to NFHS4 it saidAs a result of continuous efforts over the years for strengthening routine immunization and intensification drives conducted from time to time the immunization coverage has shown a considerable improvement as per the latest reports of National Family Health Survey 201921 as compared to National Family Health Survey 4 201516 the statement saidThe Full Immunization Coverage among children aged 1223 months of age has increased from 62 percent NFHS4 to 764 percent NFHS5Three rounds of IMI 40 have been planned to catch up on the gaps that might have emerged due to the COVID19 pandemic it isaid adding the activity will be conducted in 416 districts across 33 states and UTs the statement saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever