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The Government of India continues to strengthen its universal immunization drive by providing 11 essential vaccines free of cost to children under its national vaccination campaign. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organizes weekly routine immunization sessions in both rural and urban regions, aiming to reach all children and pregnant women with lifesaving vaccines.
Vaccines Covered Under the Campaign:
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Hepatitis B Vaccine
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Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
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Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccine (BCG)
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Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV)
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Pentavalent Vaccine
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Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV)
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Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
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Measles & Rubella Vaccine (MR)
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Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus Vaccine (DPT)
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Tetanus & Adult Diphtheria Vaccine (Td)
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Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (JE)
Each week, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) conduct door-to-door campaigns to inform families about upcoming vaccination sessions and encourage attendance, ensuring no child or pregnant woman is left behind.
The government employs a comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategy to maximize coverage, utilizing Doordarshan broadcasts, media celebrities, radio jingles, YouTube podcasts, and social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. Local-language campaigns, posters, and community group meetings further reinforce the message.
Key institutional frameworks like the State, District, and Block Task Forces on Immunization oversee and ensure the effective implementation of these drives. Special interventions—including advocacy, family-level interpersonal communication, and media engagement—have been prioritized to bridge immunization gaps.
To target areas with sub-optimal vaccine coverage, the “Intensified Mission Indradhanush” campaign was conducted as a catch-up initiative under the Universal Immunization Programme. Additionally, special campaigns such as the annual National Immunization Days (NIDs), part of the Pulse Polio Programme, are regularly undertaken.
Further strengthening the digital infrastructure, the Ministry has introduced the U-Win portal, streamlining digital registration and recordkeeping for vaccination events involving children and pregnant women. Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) continue to serve as focal events for immunization activities in communities.
As stated by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, these coordinated efforts reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring robust immunization coverage nationwide.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi on August 1, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only. For detailed, region-specific guidance and vaccination schedules, please consult government health authorities or certified medical professionals.
