India’s Immunisation Journey: A Story of Verified, Milestone-by-Milestone Progress

New Delhi — From wiping out deadly diseases to delivering billions of life-saving doses, India’s immunisation journey stands as a remarkable example of steady, milestone-driven success, according to an official fact-sheet.

The country has achieved major public health victories over the decades — from the eradication of smallpox in 1977 to eliminating polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus. More recently, India administered over 200 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses and is now pushing toward the elimination of measles and rubella.

At the heart of this success lies the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), one of the largest vaccination drives in the world. Every year, it provides free immunisation to around 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.54 crore newborns across the country.

The programme has seen a dramatic improvement in coverage, rising from 62 per cent in 2015 to an impressive 98.4 per cent by January 2026. At the same time, the proportion of “zero-dose” children — those who have not received any vaccines — has declined significantly from 0.11 per cent in 2023 to 0.06 per cent in 2024.

Over the past decade, India has continuously strengthened its vaccine basket by introducing key immunisations such as the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV), Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV).

In 2026, the country expanded its efforts further with the rollout of a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, launched by Narendra Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The initiative aims to protect 14-year-old girls from cervical cancer, with around 1.15 crore beneficiaries expected to receive the vaccine free of cost.

India’s immunisation success is also powered by one of the world’s largest vaccine cold chain networks. With nearly 30,000 cold chain points — supported by over 1.06 lakh ice-lined refrigerators and deep freezers, along with hundreds of walk-in coolers — the system ensures vaccines remain effective from storage to delivery.

Each year, more than 1.3 crore immunisation sessions are conducted nationwide, ensuring vaccines reach even the most remote beneficiaries in safe and potent condition.

With consistent expansion, strong infrastructure, and sustained political commitment, India’s immunisation programme continues to set global benchmarks in public health delivery.

With inputs from IANS