5 Nov 2024 • India's vaccination landscape shows notable improvements, yet significant gaps remain, according to the latest findings from the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS 1-5).

• The study analyzed data from all five NFHS rounds, focusing on state-wise and demographic distribution of vaccination trends.
• Data from NFHS-1 to NFHS-5 show a marked increase in fully vaccinated children, rising by 41.2%, and a reduction in non-vaccinated children by 26.4%.
• Rural areas saw a greater boost in coverage (45.9%) than urban areas (24.8%), and gender disparities in vaccination rates have narrowed substantially.
• Despite this progress, stark regional disparities remain, particularly in northeastern states. For example, in Manipur, 47.3% of newborns did not receive the BCG vaccine compared to the Hepatitis B vaccine, and 32.8% missed the birth dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
• Additionally, a clear inverse relationship was observed between vaccination rates and birth order; children from higher birth orders were less likely to be vaccinated.

The study highlights the need for targeted policy measures to address regional discrepancies and ensure all children receive timely immunizations, aiming to meet national health goals.

Source: ICMR | Read full story