India aims to expand immunisation coverage to 90% by 2018

Earlier, the increase in full immunization coverage was 1% per year that increased to 6.7% per year through the first two phases of Mission Indradhanush.

Government has formally launched a special immunization drive in high-focus areas of the country, with an aim to reach 90% coverage by December 2018.

The drive is meant to vaccinate all pregnant women and children below two years of age, who have been left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme.

PM Narendra Modi launched the drive— Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) in Gujarat, focusing on improving immunization coverage in vulnerable districts and cities to ensure full immunization to more than 90% by December 2018.

The achievement of full immunisation under Mission Indradhanush to at least 90% coverage was to be achieved by 2020 earlier, which has now been advanced.

More than 2.53 crore children and 68 lakh pregnant women have been given life-saving vaccines under the four phases of Mission Indradhanush so far.

According to a government statement, earlier the increase in full immunization coverage was 1% per year, which increased to 6.7% per year through the first two phases of the mission.

With a sharpened focus on high priority districts and urban areas, under IMI, four consecutive immunization rounds will be conducted for 7 days in 173 districts— 121 districts and 17 cities in 16 states and 52 districts in 8 north eastern states— every month between October 2017 and January 2018.

The focus is also on the urban settlements and cities identified under National Urban Health Mission.

There is a robust monitoring mechanism in place at the district, state and central level. The Cabinet Secretary would review the implementation at the national level, and it will also be monitored at the highest level under a special initiative— Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI).