Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : “ India is implementing the largest immunisation programme globally where we annually cover more than 3 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore children through the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP),” stated D. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, while launching Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 4.0 virtually on February 7, 2022, in the presence of health officials of States and Union Territories. Keshab Mahanta, Health Minister of Assam, and Rushikesh Patel, Health Minister of Gujarat, virtually participated.
Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 will have three rounds and will be conducted in 416 districts (including 75 districts identified for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav) across 33 States/UTs in the country. In the first round (Feb-April 2022), 11 states will conduct IMI 4.0. They are : Assam, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, and Chhattisgarh. The others (22 states) will conduct the rounds from April to May 2022. These states/UTs include Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Puducherry, Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Telangana, Jharkhand, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and A & N Islands, according to a PIB release.
On the occasion, Dr Mandaviya 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 vaccine. “The health care workers are providing a great service to the nation. Their dedication is an inspiration to me and to others for contributing to nation building,” Dr Mandaviya added.
Dr. Mandaviya expressed satisfaction that the efforts have been reflected in the latest National Family Health Survey which has indicated increased coverage. “Vaccines are one of the most effective, affordable, and safe methods to protect infants, children, and pregnant women from diseases and mortality. With 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, high-risk and hard-to-reach areas and protect them from vaccine preventable diseases,” he said.
Under Mission Indradhanush, all vaccine under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) are provided as per National Immunisation Schedule. Mission Indradhansuh was also identified as one of the flagship schemes under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (16,850 villages across 541 districts) and Extended Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (48,929 villages across 112 aspirational districts).
Dr. Mandaviya noted that while pace of routine immunisation has slowed down due to Covid pandemic, IMI 4.0 will immensely contribute in filling the gaps and make lasting gains towards Universal Immunisation. It will ensure that Routine Immunisation (RI) services reach the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women, he added.
Highlighting the important role of vaccine in public health, the Union Health Minister referred to the achievements of the country-wide Covid-19 vaccination drive under which around 170 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered till date. This achievement of India has been acknowledged and applauded globally, he added. He emphasised on the need of “Sabka Prayas” and “Jan Lok Bhaagidaari” to achieve the goal of universal immunisation in the country.
The Union Health Minister virtually launched the IMI 4.0 portal and released the “Operational Guidelines for IMI 4.0”, “Strengthening Immunisation in Urban Areas-A framework for Action” and a handbook for “Mahila Arogya Samiti on Urban Immunisation” and awareness material/IEC package developed as part of the campaign.
Till date, ten phases of Mission Indradhanush have been completed covering 701 districts across the country. As of April 2021, during the various phases of Mission Indradhanush, a total of 3.86 crore children and 96.8 lakh pregnant women havd been vaccinated. The first two phases of Mission Indradhanush resulted in 6.7% increase in full immunization coverage in a year. Now, the Full Immunization Coverage among children aged 12-23 months of age has increased from 62% (NFHS-4) to 76.4% (NFHS-5).
Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, Vikas Sheel, AS&MD, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Dr. P Ashok Babu, Joint Secretary, Dr. Harmeet Singh, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and senior officials of the Ministry present at the event.