India Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Childhood Immunization Levels, According to WHO and UNICEF Report

India Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Childhood Immunization Levels- In 2022, India crossed its pre-Covid record for childhood immunization coverage, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). India achieved a 93% coverage rate for DPT3 (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus), which is higher than the previous record of 91% in 2019, and a significant increase from the 85% recorded in 2021. This achievement reflects the intensification of routine immunizations in the country.

The report also highlights the overall global recovery in immunization services. In 2022, immunization services reached four million more children than the previous year, as nations increased their efforts to reverse the declines in immunization caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the coverage is still below pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing risks for children from disease outbreaks. In 2022, approximately 20.5 million children globally missed one or more vaccines delivered through routine immunization services.

While this number is lower than the 24.4 million children who missed out in 2021, it is still higher than the pre-pandemic figure of 18.4 million in 2019.

Despite these positive trends, the report notes the continued existence of inequities in vaccine coverage, with children in countries or regions with lower coverage rates facing the greatest risks. It further highlights the need for continued efforts towards catching up with, recovering from, and strengthening the immunization services.

The goal is to ensure that every child is vaccinated, and routine immunization is reinforced as a fundamental part of primary healthcare.