I. Overview
World Immunization Day (WID) is an national observance, created to strengthen public awareness around vaccination and support national immunization efforts. It was initiated in India by public-health authorities and national immunization partners, and later supported by organisations such as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), National Health Mission (NHM), UNICEF India and other global partners working in child health.
Unlike World Immunization Week (created by WHO), WID is not a UN-declared international day but a national awareness day established within India to encourage vaccination uptake and spotlight routine immunization.
II. Significance of the Day
The message of the day is simple – When more people are vaccinated, the whole community becomes safer. The day calls for stronger routine immunization, improved vaccine literacy and support for health workers who deliver lifesaving doses in every setting.
Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective and powerful tools in global health, yet challenges such as unequal access, misinformation, and growing vaccine hesitancy continue to undermine their impact and threaten public health gains.
III. The Need for Immunization in India
India’s population, diversity and disease burden make immunization one of the most critical public-health priorities in the country. India has 2.6 crore newborns every year, one of the largest in the world. Reaching every child with routine vaccines requires constant effort and strong systems.
Major Immunization Initiatives by the Government of India:
- Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), 1985
- Mission Indradhanush, 2014
- UWIN (Unified Health Interface for Immunization)
- CoWIN Platform (COVID-19 Vaccination)
Achievements to Date:
Full Immunisation Coverage (2023-24): Achieved 93% nationwide coverage.
Disease Elimination: India successfully eradicated polio in 2014 and maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015.
Mission Indradhanush: Benefited over 54.6 million children and 13.2 million pregnant women through 12 implementation phases.
COVID-19 Vaccination Drive: Administered more than 2.2 billion doses, with 97% of the population receiving at least one dose and 90% completing full vaccination.
The day highlights the role of immunization in protecting individuals and communities from deadly infections and preventing the spread of diseases.
IV. Quick Facts about Immunization
- Vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years.
- Vaccines protect against more than 30 life-threatening diseases.
- According to NFHS-5 (2019-21), India’s full immunization coverage for children was 76.1 %
- Under the UIP, India vaccinates roughly 29 million pregnant women and around 26.5 million infants annually.
- Vaccine-preventable diseases still cause over 500,000 deaths annually in India despite immunization efforts.
V. A Brief History of Immunization Day
2000s: India began marking 10 November as National Immunization Day of Awareness, and reinforce the UIP.
2006-10: The day gained visibility through polio-eradication efforts, measles-rubella drives, and expanded routine immunization campaigns.
2014-19: Mission Indradhanush and Intensified Mission Indradhanush increased national attention on zero-dose children.
2019: WHO listed vaccine hesitancy among the world’s top 10 health threats.
2020-21: COVID-19 disrupted routine immunization nationwide.
VI. How to Observe WID?
- Ensure you and your family are up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations.
- Share information about the importance of immunization on social media using hashtags like #WorldImmunizationDay.
- Participate in or donate to organizations working to improve vaccine access globally.
- Host or attend events that educate communities about the benefits of immunization.
References:
WHO — World Immunization Week 2025
National Today — World Immunization Day
Vajiram & Ravi — National Vaccination Day 2025
Disclaimer
The information provided in this awareness material is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Awareness days are observed globally to improve public understanding of various health issues. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any third-party content or links referenced. Once you leave our platform, you will be subject to the external site’s privacy and content policies. The inclusion of any organization, event, or awareness day does not imply endorsement.
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