India Launches Zero Dose Implementation Plan for Unvaccinated Children

On June 30, 2025, the Indian government announced a new initiative aimed at vaccinating children across 143 districts identified as having high rates of unvaccinated children. This initiative, termed the Zero Dose Implementation Plan, specifically targets areas where children have not received any immunization doses thus far. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare expressed its commitment to expanding national immunization coverage through this comprehensive strategy.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the Zero Dose Implementation Plan will employ special immunization camps to identify and vaccinate unvaccinated children. A senior official from the Ministry, who requested anonymity, emphasized the drive's goal of ensuring that no child remains unvaccinated. This initiative marks a significant effort to address the declining vaccination rates among children in India, where the percentage of zero-dose children has decreased from 0.11% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2024, as reported by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation in its 2024 report.

Historically, India has made substantial gains in child immunization through its Universal Immunization Programme, which covers 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. Launched in 1985, this program has been pivotal in reducing child mortality rates. The intensified effort known as Mission Indradhanush, initiated in 2017 in collaboration with state governments, has successfully vaccinated over 54 million children and 13 million pregnant women. The Ministry reported that India has maintained its polio-free status since 2014, a testament to the effectiveness of its immunization strategies.

Despite progress, challenges remain. A recent paper published in The Lancet highlighted that India ranks among the countries with the highest number of unvaccinated children, with 1.4 million children lacking vaccinations in 2023, second only to Nigeria, which reported 2.5 million unvaccinated children. The data indicates that a significant portion of unvaccinated children globally resides in just a handful of countries, with eight nations, including India, accounting for over half of the total of 15.7 million unvaccinated children worldwide.

In the South Asian context, India leads in the number of zero-dose children, followed by Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of Health acknowledged the need for careful comparisons with other countries that have similar burdens, highlighting India's large population size and comprehensive immunization coverage as factors that influence these statistics.

Experts in public health, such as Dr. Aisha Malik, Associate Professor of Public Health at the Indian Institute of Public Health, emphasize the importance of targeted immunization strategies. "The Zero Dose Implementation Plan could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges," she stated in an interview. Furthermore, Dr. Vikram Rao, a pediatric health researcher at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, noted that sustained efforts in community outreach and education will be critical to the plan's success.

As part of its broader health initiatives, India has seen a significant decline in maternal mortality rates, reported at 80 per 100,000 live births, which represents an 86% decline since 1990, surpassing global reductions in maternal mortality. Additionally, India's under-five mortality rate has declined by 78%, outperforming the global average of 61% over the same period.

The implications of these vaccination initiatives extend beyond immediate health outcomes. They also contribute to the long-term economic stability and social well-being of the country, as a healthier population can lead to greater productivity and reduced healthcare costs. As India continues to develop its public health infrastructure, the success of the Zero Dose Implementation Plan will be a crucial indicator of its commitment to child health and welfare.

Looking ahead, the Indian government plans to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Zero Dose Plan closely, with the aim of achieving universal immunization coverage. The health ministry articulated that the program's success would not only improve child health outcomes but would also reinforce India's position as a global leader in public health initiatives. The commitment to leaving no child unvaccinated reflects a genuine dedication to improving child health metrics in the nation, ensuring a healthier future for the next generation.