Highest In India: UNICEF Report Praises Odisha’s High Immunisation Coverage Among Children

New Delhi: UNICEF India on Thursday released the agency’s global flagship report ‘The State of the World’s Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination,’ highlighting the significance of childhood immunization.

The report, based on data collected by The Vaccine Confidence Project (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), has revealed that China, India and Mexico are the only countries out of 55 where popular perception of the importance of vaccines for children held firm or improved.

Odisha found a special mention in the report as immunisation coverage in the state has been really noteworthy, with 90.5% of children fully immunised — significantly higher than the national average of 76.4%.

“This has been possible due to unique initiatives by the Government of Odisha to immunise children in hard-to-reach areas and encouraging the participation of community through Panchayati Raj institutions and self-help groups, especially in low-coverage areas. As a result, 20 out of the state’s 30 districts have achieved more than 90% full immunisation coverage,” the reports states.

“Odisha’s high immunisation rates are despite the significant challenges posed by the state’s hilly terrain and forest cover, especially in 144 tribal blocks and 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) residing in areas with non-motorable roads and seasonally cut-off villages. To ensure full immunisation people were motivated through special campaigns ensuring frontline workers travel to remote pockets and families are reached for immunisation. The state government’s investment to ensure an efficient cold chain system to maintain the potency and effectiveness of vaccines throughout the state has also been acknowledged as a driver for high quality of immunization coverage in Odisha,” the reports further says.

UNICEF India Representative Cynthia said the report highlights India as one of the countries with highest vaccine confidence in the world.

“This is a recognition of the Government of India’s political and social commitment and demonstrates that the #largestvaccinesdrive during the pandemic has paid off in building confidence and strengthening systems for routine immunization to vaccinate every child,” said McCaffrey.

The report pointed out that 67 million children missed out on vaccinations between 2019 and 2021, with vaccination coverage levels decreasing in 112 countries.

In 2022, the number of measles cases was more than double the total in the previous year, while children paralysed by polio increased 16% year-on-year in 2022.