India recorded 93 per cent DPT3 coverage (third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines which is used globally to assess vaccination rates) last year, surpassing the all time high pre-pandemic coverage of 91 per cent in 2019, and a rapid increase from 85 per cent recorded in 2021.
Estimates of national immunisation coverage for 2022, released earlier today by WHO and UNICEF show that in WHO South-East Asia Region, the coverage rate for DPT3 recovered to the pre-pandemic figure of 91 per cent, a sharp increase from 82 per cent recorded in 2021.
Officials said that as per data of 2022 submitted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Government of India) to the WHO, a total of 25.2 million got the first dose of DPT-1. A total of 24.6 million received the combination of three doses of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. A total of 25.2 million children got the first dose of the measles vaccine while 23.8 million got both doses.
The WHO South-East Asia Region had the best immunisation recoveries from among all WHO Regions, which can be majorly attributed to efforts being made by India and Indonesia, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia. “Every child deserves to be protected against life-threatening diseases with routine immunisation vaccines. The momentum built with impressive efforts and immunisation service recoveries must continue to benefit every child for a healthy and productive life,” Dr Singh added.
Dr Sanjay Lalwani, western zone member of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics’ Advisory Committee on vaccines and immunisation practices (IAP-ACVIP) told The Indian Express that there was no doubt that after the Covid 19 pandemic, the public at large has been sensitised about vaccination being a key tool. Secondly, faith in the government immunisation system has been increasing. During the Covid 19 pandemic, the vaccination drive was largely done through government-run setups, he said. Dr Lalwani also applauded the Centre’s Mission Indradhanush scheme that aims at covering the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children, and as part of its intensified efforts, have helped expand immunisation coverage.
In the WHO South-East Asia region, the number of zero-dose children — that is those that have not received even the first dose of DPT vaccine — halved from 4.6 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in 2022.
According to WHO/UNICEF data on vaccine–preventable disease up to 2022, India reported a drop in the number of pertussis cases from 31,431 in 2000 to 4,362 in 2022. As against 8,997 cases of tetanus in 2000 there were 65 reported in 2022. For diphtheria, there were 5,125 cases in 2000 which declined to 3,286 in 2022. However, measles cases have risen. As against 38,835 measles cases reported in 2000, there were 40,967 cases in 2022.
“Much has been achieved, much needs to be done. While overall immunisation coverage levels are looking good, and the progress is encouraging, there remain variabilities in the coverage at sub-national levels in countries, especially in those with large populations. The inequities in immunisation coverage leading to the accumulation of pockets of unvaccinated children pose the risk of outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. These gaps must be closed,” Dr Singh has appealed.
Across Maharashtra, state immunisation officer Dr Sachin Desai said they had achieved their target of immunising 19.32 lakh infants (0-1 years) from April 2022 till March 2023. Dr Desai told The Indian Express that 27 corporations across the state have played a huge role in achieving the target.
