Infants without safeguards

vaccine was introduced in
121 Nations

Mumps is a highly contagious virus that causes painful swelling at the side of the face under the ears (the parotid glands), fever, headache and muscle aches. It can lead to viral meningitis. Mumps vaccine had been introduced nationwide in 121 countries by the end of 2016.

vaccine was introduced in
134 Nations
Pneumococcal diseases include pneumonia, meningitis and febrile bacteraemia, as well as otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis. Pneumococcal vaccine had been introduced in 134 countries by the end of 2016, including three in some parts of the country,

85 per cent
Global coverage

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis. In 2016, 85 per cent of infants around the world received three doses of polio vaccine. Targeted for global eradication, polio has been stopped in all countries except for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. Polio-free countries have been infected by imported virus, and all countries – especially those experiencing conflict and instability – remain at risk until polio is fully eradicated.

25 per cent
Global coverage

Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in young children throughout the world. Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in 90 countries by the end of 2016, including six in some parts of the country

47 per cent
Global coverage

Rubella is a viral disease which is usually mild in children, but infection during early pregnancy may cause fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome, which can lead to defects of the brain, heart, eyes, and ears. Rubella vaccine was introduced nationwide in 152 countries by the end of 2016

84 per cent
Global coverage

Tetanus is caused by a bacterium which grows in the absence of oxygen, for example in dirty wounds or in the umbilical cord if it is not kept clean. The spores of C. tetani are present in the environment irrespective of geographical location. It produces a toxin which can cause serious complications or death. The vaccine to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus had been introduced in 106 countries by the end of 2016. An estimated 84 per cent of newborns were protected through immunisation. Maternal and neonatal tetanus persist as public health problems in 18 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia.

45 per cent
Global coverage

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. As of 2016, yellow fever vaccine had been introduced in routine infant immunisation programmes in 35 of the 42 countries and territories at risk for yellow fever in Africa and the Americas. In these 42 countries and territories

Immunisation coverage continues to be low despite decades of publicly financed universal immunisation programme. Between 2005-06 and 2015-16, immunisation coverage increased from 44 to 62 per cent, but much of the progress comes from rural areas (from 39 to 61 per cent). Strangely, urban areas witness very low improvements (from 58 to 64 per cent).

If India has to meet the SDG commitment of universal immunisation coverage by 2030, it has to bridge the gap of 38 per cent. It means, every year it has to ensure full immunisation of about 27 million new born.