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India recently celebrated National Vaccination Day (16 March), highlighting major milestones under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), including achieving 98.4% full immunisation coverage (January 2026) and the rollout of HPV vaccination and an indigenous Td vaccine.

National Vaccination Day and Historical Context

National Vaccination Day is observed annually on 16 March to commemorate the administration of the first dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in 1995 under the Pulse Polio Programme. This initiative played a crucial role in India achieving polio elimination, with the last reported case in 2011 in Howrah, West Bengal, marking a major public health success.

Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP): Overview and Objectives

The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was originally launched as the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1978 and later expanded into UIP in 1985. It aims to provide free vaccination to children, pregnant women, and adolescents against vaccine-preventable diseases. The programme focuses on increasing immunisation coverage, improving service quality, ensuring a robust cold-chain system, and achieving self-reliance in vaccine production.

Scale and Coverage of UIP

UIP is one of the largest immunisation programmes in the world, covering approximately 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.54 crore newborns annually. It provides protection against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, with certain vaccines like Japanese Encephalitis being administered only in endemic regions. Over time, the programme has significantly expanded its reach and effectiveness across the country.

Expansion of Vaccination Portfolio

India has continuously strengthened UIP by introducing new vaccines. These include the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (2015) under the global polio endgame strategy, the Rotavirus Vaccine (2016) to reduce diarrhoeal mortality, the Measles-Rubella vaccine (2017) through a nationwide campaign, and the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (2017) to combat pneumonia. Additionally, the Td vaccine replaced the TT vaccine to address waning immunity against diphtheria among adolescents and adults.

Mission Indradhanush and Coverage Expansion

To further enhance coverage, the government launched Mission Indradhanush in 2014, aiming to achieve over 90% full immunisation by targeting unvaccinated and partially vaccinated populations. This was followed by Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) in 2017, focusing on children below two years and pregnant women in urban slums and low-coverage districts. As a result, full immunisation coverage has increased significantly from 62% in 2015 to 98.4% in 2026.

Institutional and Infrastructure Support

The success of UIP is supported by an extensive healthcare delivery network that includes Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), government hospitals, sub-centres, and Anganwadi centres. Frontline workers such as ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and link workers play a vital role in mobilising beneficiaries. Additionally, India has developed one of the largest vaccine cold-chain infrastructures in the world, with over 1.06 lakh ice-lined refrigerators and freezers, supporting more than 1.3 crore immunisation sessions annually.

Digital Transformation in Vaccination

India has integrated digital technologies to improve vaccine delivery and monitoring. The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) enables real-time tracking of vaccine stocks and storage conditions. The CoWIN platform (2021) facilitated the administration of over 220 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, while the U-WIN platform (2024) helps citizens access vaccination services, book appointments, and maintain digital records.

Major Achievements in Immunisation

India has achieved significant milestones in public health, including the eradication of smallpox, elimination of polio (2011), and control of diseases such as yaws and maternal and neonatal tetanus. The proportion of zero-dose children has also declined sharply from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024, indicating improved outreach. These achievements have been recognised globally, including by the UN Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2024).

India’s Global Leadership in Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals

India has emerged as a global leader in vaccine production, manufacturing nearly 60% of the world’s vaccines. It is the third-largest pharmaceutical producer by volume and supplies medicines to around 200 countries, accounting for approximately 20% of global generic medicine supply. Through the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India supplied over 298 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to nearly 100 countries, strengthening its role in global health diplomacy.

Policy Support and Self-Reliance

To boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence, the government has introduced Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for bulk drugs (2020), medical devices (2020), and pharmaceuticals (2021). These initiatives aim to enhance India’s competitiveness and ensure long-term self-reliance in the healthcare sector.