In a shocking revelation, the Centre on Tuesday admitted that almost half of India’s children are devoid of routine immunisation.
While the immunisation in rural areas is around 58 per cent, the figure for urban areas stands just over 67 per cent.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, attributed the dismal rate of immunisation to lack of awareness among parents and non-availability of vaccines.
Moreover, the funds allocated for the vaccination programmes, as compared to previous years have also been reduced. A total of Rs.221.7 crore was allocated in 2012-13 while the figure dwindled to Rs.188.91 crore and Rs.189.26 crore in 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively.
"The government has not allocated any funds for the development of new vaccines for the past three years. It has been providing flexible funds to states for mobility support and alternate vaccine delivery and mobilisation of children," the health minister said.
Nadda said the government had conducted special immunisation weeks at regular intervals in areas which have recorded low immunisation rates. "The government is also implementing ‘Mission Indradhanush’ with particular focus on 201 districts with low or no immunisation rates," he added.
Under the scheme, vaccination is provided to children to prevent seven lifethreatening diseases, including diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. Meanwhile, over 1,261 crore children have been immunised since 1995-96 under the Pulse Polio programme.