India Reports 909,000 Zero-Dose Children in 2024: UN Findings

NEW DELHI — A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF reveals that India recorded over 909,000 children who did not receive any routine vaccinations in 2024, marking a significant decrease from 1.59 million in 2023. India now holds the second-highest number of 'zero-dose' children globally, trailing only Nigeria, which reported 2.1 million. The report highlights ongoing challenges and progress in India's vaccination efforts amidst a complex demographic landscape.

The term 'zero-dose children' refers to those who have never received any vaccination, a critical indicator of public health and immunization effectiveness. Union Health Ministry officials emphasize that comparing India with Nigeria may not provide an accurate reflection due to India's vast population, which stands at over 1.4 billion. Official sources stated, "India, due to its population size, will always come among the top ten countries for zero-dose children."

Despite this, the decline in zero-dose children is a notable achievement for India. Dr. Vivek Singh, Chief of Health at UNICEF, stated, "India’s vaccine-wise immunization coverage surpasses global averages across all vaccines. The significant reduction in zero-dose children reflects the country's strong national leadership and commitment to making immunization a public health priority." This statement aligns with the findings of the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), which recognized India as a global exemplar in child health for its efforts to reduce illness and mortality rates among children.

India's vaccination campaign has faced challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, which disrupted routine immunization services. However, since 2019, the country has maintained immunization coverage rates above 90%. The latest data indicates that significant strides have been made through intensified catch-up campaigns aimed at reaching children who missed their vaccinations, resulting in a 43% reduction in zero-dose children compared to 2023.

Key vaccination metrics show that India's coverage rates for the first dose of the Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT) vaccine (DPT1) rose to 96% in 2024 from 93% in 2023, surpassing the global average of 89%. Furthermore, the first dose of the Measles-Containing Vaccine (MCV1) also increased to 97%, indicating robust immunization efforts.

Globally, the WHO and UNICEF report that approximately 89% of infants received at least one dose of the DTP-containing vaccine, but nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose, including 14.3 million zero-dose children. This trend underscores the urgency for global health initiatives to address immunization gaps as part of the Immunization Agenda 2030 goals.

As India continues to improve its vaccination coverage, experts urge sustained efforts and resources to ensure that all children receive the necessary immunizations to protect against preventable diseases. The ongoing commitment to public health strategies will be essential in the coming years to further reduce the number of zero-dose children and enhance overall child health outcomes across the nation.