How effective has India been in enhancing immunization coverage over the years? What challenges continue to affect immunization efforts in the country?

Immunization is defined as building immunity to disease by intentional inoculation with attenuated or part of pathogen. (Eg Smallpox Vaccine). Effective Immunization Coverage: (1) Universal coverage: of all children across nation. Eg POLIO. (2) Eradication of many Diseases: Eg smallpox/yaws. (3) Last Mile Reach: with help of Anganwadi Centre, PHC & ASHA worker. (Eg Mission Shashrihaun). (4) Efficient Supply Chain: to keep vaccines in cold storage to maintain efficacy. (Eg Measles Vaccine needs -10°C temp to be kept). (5) New Vaccines: Generated in record time to prevent deaths. Eg COVAXIN by Bharat Biotech. (6) Private Sector Participation: to leverage built efficient vaccine. (Eg Serum Institute).

Challenges: (1) Missed dosage: due to multiple leash. (& 60 million children missed measles vax due to covid). (2) Poor Last Mile Reach: Due to difficult topography, govt apathy. (3) Poor Weald Tech: Wastage wastage & inefficiency. (4) High Expense: for cost of some vaccines which are not covered by govt. (5) Rise of NTD: Neglected topical disease killing millions every year. (Eg Trachoma, Filarias). (6) COVID-19 Disruption: in Vaccine coverage, supply chain etc. (7) Poor synergy: by all govt department. - (8) Flying note vaccine in limited immunization ZEIDE tech: to manage & protect supply chain. (Eg AI, blockchain). (9) Use ASHA Workers: to latmile teach. (10) Expand F&DM vaccine (Only 0.4% of GDP spent in health). IF missed = 34-38 m infants. (11) Max Vaccine developed. (Eg Dengue). India's Immunization coverage must be expanded, reformed & saturated to build Healthy India & meet SDGs -3 (Good health & well-being).

— ADITYA MATHOR · AIR 98