Vaccinating India: on zero-dose children
On the bright side, vaccine coverage globally, between 1980 and 2023, doubled for six diseases including measles, polio and tuberculosis. Also, at 75% globally, there has been a sharp fall in the number of zero-dose children — those who have not received the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine — during the same time period. The number of zero-dose children is a crucial performance marker and an indicator of vaccination coverage inequities. Despite increased immunisation coverage over the decades, in 2023, at 1.44 million, India, according to The Lancet, still had the second largest number of zero-dose children, and is among the eight countries with over 50% of the nearly 16 million zero-dose children globally. Most of the zero-dose children globally are in countries that are conflict-affected or with limited resources for vaccination programmes — India has neither of the two problems. However, about 23 million babies were born in 2023 in India, the highest in the world; in 2024, China, which has the second highest number of newborns globally, reported just 9.5 million newborns. Though the number of zero-dose children is staggering, when seen in the context of the number of newborns in 2023, the percentage of zero-dose children in India is 6.2%. A study in 2021 found that India had sharply reduced the percentage of zero-dose children, from 33.4% in 1992 to 10.1% in 2016. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of zero-dose children was 1.4 million in 2019 but this swelled to 2.7 million in 2021 and then dropped to 1.1 million in 2022 before increasing to 1.44 million in 2023.
As in the 2021 study, a large percentage of zero-dose children are in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. There is also a relatively high proportion of them in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Over the years, the difference in zero-dose children based on gender, caste, and rural-urban status has reduced substantially. However, prevalence remains high among the poor, mothers with low education, Scheduled Tribes and Muslims. Focus is needed to immunise children in hard-to-reach tribal areas, urban slums where there is a huge migrant population, and in reducing vaccine hesitancy among Muslim households with newborn children. India has much work to do to meet WHO's Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) — halving zero-dose children relative to 2019. With the number of zero-dose children in 2023 (1.44 million) only about nearly reaching the 2019 level of 1.4 million, India needs greater and sustained efforts to halve this number in the next five years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
41 minutes ago
- NDTV
Seasons And Geographic Locations Strongly Influence Sleep Patterns: Study
New Delhi: Sleep patterns are significantly influenced by the day of the week, the season, and geographic locations, according to a study. The study, led by researchers from Flinders University in South Australia, is based on data from more than 116,000 adults and over 73 million nights of sleep. The team used an under-mattress device to objectively track sleep duration and timing across 3.5 years, Xinhua news agency reported. The study finds that sleep is shaped not just by personal habits, but by environmental factors like daylight, temperature, and weekly routines. "Our findings underscore the seasonal nature of human sleep, and that it is influenced by demographics and geography," said Hannah Scott, a sleep health expert at Flinders University. People in the Northern Hemisphere sleep 15 to 20 minutes longer in winter, while those in the Southern Hemisphere sleep less in summer. "Interestingly we found that the farther you live from the equator, the greater the seasonal variation in sleep," Ms. Scott said. People go to bed later and sleep in longer on weekends, recovering some lost sleep, especially middle-aged adults balancing work and family. These irregular patterns are increasingly linked to negative health effects, according to the study published in Sleep. The study found a gradual decline in sleep, with people sleeping about 2.5 minutes less per night from 2020 to 2023, possibly due to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Irregular sleep is more than just feeling tired -- it can be a health risk and understanding how our routines and environments affect sleep is a helpful step towards improving it," said Danny Eckert from Flinders University. Although the study focused on tech-savvy users and didn't account for factors like pets or partners, it underscores how the environment shapes sleep, reminding people to consider time and season for better rest, said the researchers.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Razor Blade throat' emerges as new symptom of Covid 19: Why does it hurt so much
After lying low for a couple of years, COVID-19 has made a comeback, with fresh cases emerging all across the world. The new variant, nicknamed Nimbus remains under observation, and doctors say that it does not cause severe illness, and most people are recovering at home by resting it out, and keeping themselves hydrated. However, one symptom that is increasingly being seen with this new variant is a severe throat pain, also known as "Razor Blade throat". It is said that this pain is so sharp that it feels like swallowing razor blades (hence the name). But, what is this new symptom, and why does it hurt so much? We take a look... What Is the 'Razor Blade' Sore Throat The 'razor blade' sore throat is a term used to describe the excruciating throat pain caused by the Nimbus variant of COVID-19. Unlike the milder sore throats people experienced with earlier COVID strains, this one feels extremely sharp and painful. Many patients say swallowing food or even water seems like a Herculean task. This symptom was first reported in China when the variant emerged in May 2025 and has since spread to the U.S. and other countries. Now, Nimbus accounts for about a third of COVID cases in the U.S. Why does it cause so much pain COVID-19 is essentially a respiratory infection that infects the body through the nose, mouth, and throat, which are part of the upper respiratory tract. In the early days of infection, the virus multiplies in the lining of the throat. This triggers the body's immune system to react, causing inflammation and swelling in the throat tissues. With the Nimbus variant, this immune response seems especially strong or focused in the throat area. Doctors say these could be some of the reasons... New variant: Nimbus may have the capacity for infecting throat cells more aggressively than earlier variants, causing more damage and irritation. Immune system reaction: Because many people are vaccinated or have had COVID before, their immune systems may respond more strongly to Nimbus. The throat has many lymph nodes and immune cells, which can cause intense inflammation when activated, as a means to protect the body. Change in virus pattern: As the virus changes, its patterns also shift. Earlier variants caused more loss of taste and smell, but newer ones like Nimbus cause more throat pain. How is it different from regular sore throats Sore throats can be caused by many things like the common cold, flu, allergies, acid reflux, or bacterial infections such as strep throat. What makes the COVID 'razor blade' sore throat stand out is the extreme sharpness and severity of the pain. (though extreme throat pain is not exclusive to Covid 19) Doctors warn that because this symptom overlaps with other illnesses, it can be hard to tell if a sore throat is from COVID or something else. If the pain is severe, or lasts longer than a few days, it's important to get tested for COVID-19. Even if you don't have Covid, the doctor will suggest if you need antibiotics to calm the infection or not. Other symptoms Besides the severe sore throat, Nimbus causes symptoms similar to other COVID variants, including: Fever (can be high or low grade) Whooping Cough Fatigue Muscle aches Headaches Loss of taste or smell (less common now) Some people may also experience swollen lymph nodes or difficulty swallowing because of throat inflammation. How can you get relief While the pain can be intense, there are ways to ease the discomfort at home: Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids like water, warm tea, or broth to soothe the throat and prevent dryness. However, stay away from extreme hot beverages as well, as they can further irritate your throat. Lukewarm is the best temperature. Use throat lozenges: These can numb the throat and reduce pain temporarily. Gargle with warm (not hot) salt water: This helps reduce inflammation and kills some bacteria in the throat. Rest your voice: Avoid talking too much to prevent further irritation. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation. (check with a doctor first) If your sore throat worsens, lasts more than a week, or is accompanied by difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek medical attention immediately. Sources: WebMD, 'Why COVID 'Razor Blade' Sore Throat Hurts So Bad,' June 26, 2025 Everyday Health, 'How to Cope With a COVID-19 Sore Throat,' June 23, 2025 Healthline, 'New COVID Variant Nimbus May Cause Painful 'Razor Blade Throat' Symptom,' June 19, 2025
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Kashmiri doctor facing bias at Kovai hospital: J&K students
COIMBATORE: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Thursday wrote to CM MK Stalin seeking his intervention in an alleged religious discrimination against a Muslim doctor from Kashmir at a private hospital in the city. The letter said the 31-year-old doctor from Srinagar in Kashmir was allotted a seat for nephrology at a private medical college hospital in Coimbatore after the NEET-SS second counselling round conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). He was allegedly asked to shave his beard and sign a policy document that prohibited him from sporting a beard, a condition which he said contradicted his religious obligations as a practicing Muslim. The association further condemned the incident as a clear violation of the right to religious freedom. 'This incident threatens to tarnish that legacy and sends a disturbing message,' said Nasir Khuehanmi, national convenor of the association. The student, who did not wish to be named, told TNIE that he had approached the college for admission on June 17 and was forced to remove his beard. This forced him to return to Srinagar. 'They said it was the hospital policy. However, I went there for studies through counselling and not for a job interview. As I felt it would not be possible to continue the studies with this mental pressure, I returned to my native,' he said. Meanwhile, the hospital management said they have a protocol for staff and students which stipulates a clean shave. However individuals who follow religious beliefs are allowed to sport trimmed beard.
