India cuts zero-dose children by 43 per cent as South Asia hits record-high children immunization in 2024
As per the 2024 data, India brought down its zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024, a drop of nearly 7 lakh.
'This is a proud moment for South Asia. More children are protected today than ever before,' said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, while also stressing the need to reach the remaining children in remote areas.
South Asia, as a region, achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage. In 2024, 92 per cent of infants received the third dose of the DTP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. This marked a 2 per cent increase from 2023 and even surpassed pre-COVID levels.
Nepal also saw major improvement, cutting its zero-dose children by over half. Pakistan reached its highest-ever DTP3 coverage at 87 per cent. However, Afghanistan remains a concern with the lowest coverage in the region and a slight decline compared to last year.
Measles coverage also improved. Around 93 per cent of infants received the first dose and 88 per cent got the second. Reported measles cases fell sharply by 39 per cent in 2024.
Vaccination against HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which prevents cervical cancer, saw progress too. Bangladesh vaccinated over 7.1 million girls since starting its programme last year, while Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka also reported increases. India and Pakistan are expected to begin their HPV vaccination campaigns later this year.
The WHO and UNICEF report praised strong leadership from governments, tireless work of frontline health workers, and better use of data and technology for this achievement.
'It is heartening to see WHO South-East Asia Region reach the highest ever immunization rates, surpassing the pre-pandemic up-trend. We must build on this momentum and step up efforts to reach every child with these lifesaving vaccines. Together we can, and we must,' said Dr Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Director Programme Management, WHO South-East Asia Region.
Still, experts warned that over 2.9 million children in South Asia remain un- or under-vaccinated and need to be reached to ensure full protection against deadly diseases. (ANI)
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Economic Times
3 hours ago
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India accounts for 6.4% of global zero-dose children in 2024: UN
ANI India cuts zero-dose children by 43 per cent as South Asia hits record-high children immunization in 2024 India constituted 6.4 per cent of the global population of children who did not receive a single dose of any vaccine in 2024, according to a United Nations report. The new national immunisation coverage data released on Monday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF also highlighted that "India accounted for 49.2% of zero-dose children in South Asia", as per statistics from the Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA). The term "zero-dose children" refers to those who have not received any routine immunisations, including the first dose of the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine. This metric is a critical indicator of access to immunisation services and overall healthcare infrastructure. The report said India accounted for "6.4% of zero-dose children globally". Every year, WHO and UNICEF release global and national routine immunisation coverage estimates (WUENIC). Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, analyses what the 2024 WUENIC data says about the state of immunisation in the 57 low- and lower-middle-income countries it supports. Gavi said nearly half (4.9 million) of all the 10.2 million zero-dose children in lower-income countries live in five populous nations - Nigeria, DR Congo, India, Pakistan, and Ethiopia. It pointed out that coverage with the first dose of the DTP vaccine (DTP1) is an important measure that helps the world understand how many zero-dose children still don't have access to life-saving vaccines. DTP1 coverage stood at 87 per cent in 2024 - nearly recovered from a four percentage point decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This means there are half a million fewer zero-dose children in lower-income countries in 2024, thanks mainly to targeted efforts in populous countries like India, DR Congo, and Ethiopia," Gavi said. The report said in 2024, 89 per cent of infants globally -- about 115 million -- received at least one dose of DTP vaccine, and 85 per cent -- roughly 109 million -- completed all three doses. Compared to 2023, around 171,000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges, the report said. Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million "zero-dose" children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That's four million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunisation Agenda 2030 goals and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress, the report said. "Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies, and nations to flourish," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "It's encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress," he said. The report noted that children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunisation services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines. Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined. The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world's infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries, the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunisation, the report said Immunisation coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi has improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650,000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunisation coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems. "The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases, and that should worry us all," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems, along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent," she said.
Time of India
4 hours ago
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India accounts for 6.4% of global zero-dose children in 2024: UN
India constituted 6.4 per cent of the global population of children who did not receive a single dose of any vaccine in 2024, according to a United Nations report. The new national immunisation coverage data released on Monday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF also highlighted that "India accounted for 49.2% of zero-dose children in South Asia", as per statistics from the Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA). The term "zero-dose children" refers to those who have not received any routine immunisations, including the first dose of the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine. This metric is a critical indicator of access to immunisation services and overall healthcare infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The report said India accounted for "6.4% of zero-dose children globally". Every year, WHO and UNICEF release global and national routine immunisation coverage estimates (WUENIC). Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, analyses what the 2024 WUENIC data says about the state of immunisation in the 57 low- and lower-middle-income countries it supports. Live Events Gavi said nearly half (4.9 million) of all the 10.2 million zero-dose children in lower-income countries live in five populous nations - Nigeria, DR Congo, India, Pakistan, and Ethiopia. It pointed out that coverage with the first dose of the DTP vaccine (DTP1) is an important measure that helps the world understand how many zero-dose children still don't have access to life-saving vaccines. DTP1 coverage stood at 87 per cent in 2024 - nearly recovered from a four percentage point decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This means there are half a million fewer zero-dose children in lower-income countries in 2024, thanks mainly to targeted efforts in populous countries like India, DR Congo, and Ethiopia," Gavi said. The report said in 2024, 89 per cent of infants globally -- about 115 million -- received at least one dose of DTP vaccine, and 85 per cent -- roughly 109 million -- completed all three doses. Compared to 2023, around 171,000 more children received at least one vaccine, and one million more completed the full three-dose DTP series. While the gains are modest, they signal continued progress by countries working to protect children, even amid growing challenges, the report said. Still, nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of DTP-containing vaccine last year, including 14.3 million "zero-dose" children who never received a single dose of any vaccine. That's four million more than the 2024 target needed to stay on track with Immunisation Agenda 2030 goals and 1.4 million more than in 2019, the baseline year for measuring progress, the report said. "Vaccines save lives, allowing individuals, families, communities, economies, and nations to flourish," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "It's encouraging to see a continued increase in the number of children being vaccinated, although we still have a lot of work to do. Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress," he said. The report noted that children often remain un- or under-vaccinated due to a combination of factors, such as limited access to immunisation services, disrupted supply, conflict and instability, or misinformation about vaccines. Data from 195 countries show that 131 countries have consistently reached at least 90% of children with the first dose of DTP vaccine since 2019, but there has been no significant movement in expanding this group. Among the countries that reached less than 90% in 2019, only 17 managed to increase their coverage rates in the past five years. Meanwhile, in 47 countries, progress is stalling or worsening. This includes 22 countries that achieved and surpassed the 90% target in 2019 but have since declined. The data shows conflict and humanitarian crises can quickly erode vaccination progress. A quarter of the world's infants live in just 26 countries affected by fragility, conflict, or humanitarian crises, yet they make up half of all unvaccinated children globally. Concerningly, in half of these countries, the number of unvaccinated children has expanded rapidly from 3.6 million in 2019 to 5.4 million in 2024, underscoring the need for humanitarian responses to include immunisation, the report said Immunisation coverage in the 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi has improved in the past year, reducing the number of un- and under-vaccinated children by roughly 650,000. At the same time, signs of slippage are emerging in upper-middle- and high-income countries that have previously maintained at least 90% coverage. Even small declines in immunisation coverage can dramatically raise the risk of disease outbreaks and place additional strain on already overstretched health systems. "The good news is that we have managed to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. But millions of children remain without protection against preventable diseases , and that should worry us all," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "We must act now with determination to overcome barriers like shrinking health budgets, fragile health systems, along with misinformation and access constraints because of conflicts. No child should die from a disease we know how to prevent," she said.
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Empowering India's youth by supporting their mental health
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, India's suicide rate in 2021 was 12.6 per 1,00,000, significantly higher than the global average of 9.2. In addition, the National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB) 2022 report states that more than 13,000 students died by suicide in that year, with about 2,000 of these deaths linked to exam failure. These numbers are not merely isolated instances of individual suffering. They reflect a larger systemic issue that encompasses education, work, family life, and societal expectations. Additionally, increased instances of self-injury and suicidal thoughts among young adults and teenagers indicate that a majority of them are fighting long before they hit crisis point. Youth suicide in India is no longer an extremity, but a public health crisis. Without early intervention and ongoing support, the country's young people will go on battling mental health problems until it is too late for anyone to help them. What are the key drivers? The reasons behind Indian youth suicides are varied and multi-layered. In the majority of instances, suicide is not the end result of one event but rather an accumulation of a series of events over a period of time. The key drivers are: Academic pressure and fear of failure: India's education system continues to be deeply exam-focused, with massive pressure on students to perform extremely well. Institution-wide high-stakes testing, demanding academic streams, and low failure tolerance can lead to stress. The psychological cost of constant academic pressure leads to suicide. Between 2019 and 2023, 98 suicides were reported across India's top institutions including IITs, NITs, with a recent survey among IIT students revealing that 61% cite academic stress as the main trigger. Economic insecurity and unemployment: With youth unemployment rates high, many are not likely to get a job easily. The subsequent sense of frustration and despair can contribute to a decline in mental health. Societal and family pressures: Family expectations regarding career, marriage, and financial obligations are sources of stress. Conflict with others, or perceptions of failure to meet expectations, are in most cases, directly linked to suicidal activity. In addition, cultural stigma prevents open family discussion of emotional and mental health issues. Data from NCRB suggests that about 48% of all suicides among young adults are caused by distress from family problems, love affairs, and marriage-related issues. Mental health disorders and inadequate access to care: Underlying mental illness—depression, anxiety, or addiction—can often remain undiagnosed. Even as awareness spreads, professional mental health care remains out of reach for many, particularly in rural areas. Stigma and silence: A general stigma around mental illness continues to discourage seeking assistance. Young people tend to fear being labelled weak, unstable, or attention-seeking. Emotional suffering is thus internalised, and by the time it is verbalised, the condition is beyond prevention. According to a UNICEF survey on mental health across 21 countries, including India, only 41% of Indian youth feel it's acceptable to seek professional mental health support. What needs to change Youth suicide needs to be tackled by an integrated, multi-sectoral response that crosses healthcare, education, family systems, and public communication. Some steps that could help include: Destigmatise help-seeking — Despite increasing mental health struggles, many young people hesitate to seek help due to fear of judgement, family pressure, or lack of awareness. A narrative must be created to normalise mental health conversations, with the help of awareness campaigns both at schools, colleges and in communities. To seek help should no longer seem to be a weakness or a matter of shame. Strengthen crisis support systems — India has 24/7 mental health helplines including KIRAN (1800-599-0019) and Tele-MANAS (14416), We Care Mental Health Helpline operated by Bengaluru police and NIMHANS - 8277946600, NIMHANS toll free hotline 080-46110007, etc., offering free counselling in multiple languages. However, awareness among the youth remains low, and many don't know that these services exist. These crisis systems must be widely promoted in schools, colleges, and public platforms. Involve families and communities — It is important to make parents and caregivers aware of the need to have open conversations about mental health and break the stigma around it as they have a major influence on the youth. The loss of a young life is not merely a personal loss but also a national one. It is a loss of potential, of aspirations, and of a future that will never come. India's youth are meant to be the architects of the nation's progress, but they cannot perform this task if they are emotionally broken, unsupported, or muzzled. Suicide prevention is not just a health priority. It is a priority for the economy, and for society as whole. (Dr. Diwakar Goutham N, Senior Consultant, Clinical Lead - Psychiatry, Narayana Health City, Bangalore. [Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on Tele-MANAS 14416, and SNEHA's suicide prevention helpline - 044 24640050 or from any of the numbers in this link]
