New Delhi: India’s sustained vaccination drive over the past three decades has led to a sharp decline in child mortality, with deaths among children under five dropping by 78% and neonatal mortality falling by 70%, according to health experts and official data.
Government estimates suggest that nearly 2.6 crore newborns and 2.9 crore pregnant women have benefited from immunisation and related healthcare initiatives targeting diseases such as polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, rubella, and pneumonia.
“Key initiatives like the Universal Immunization Programme, Mission Indradhanush, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan have played a crucial role,” said Dr. Girish Tyagi, President of DMA.
These efforts have also significantly improved other health indicators, with maternal mortality declining by over 80%, infant mortality by nearly 70%, and neonatal mortality by around 65%.
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Delhi Health Minister.
Vaccination, experts say, remains the most effective and affordable public health intervention. India was declared polio-free in 2014, a milestone widely attributed to aggressive immunisation campaigns. The country also carried out one of the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drives despite initial hesitancy and logistical challenges.
Globally, vaccination saves an estimated 50 lakh lives every year, according to the World Health Organization.
Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh said the past decade has seen an “exemplary expansion” of immunisation coverage, including in urban slums and among migrant populations. “Special drives like Mission Indradhanush ensured that even children who were left out earlier were vaccinated,” he said.
India’s Universal Immunisation Programme now provides free vaccines annually to millions of pregnant women and infants, supported by lakhs of frontline workers who conduct over a crore immunisation sessions each year.
Recent data also show a steady decline in “zero-dose” children—those who have not received any vaccines—reflecting improved outreach and tracking through digital platforms.
International agencies have recognised India’s progress. The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation has highlighted the country’s gains, while global partners have honoured India for its measles and rubella elimination efforts.
With continued focus on expanding coverage, especially in hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations, India is positioning itself as a global example in large-scale immunisation and child health improvement.
(Cover Photo Credit: CANVA)
