Will achieve full immunisation coverage for all children by 2020 through a Catch-Up campaign
JP Nadda, Health & Family Welfare Minister recently launched ‘Mission Indradhanush’, in New Delhi. The ‘Mission Indradhanush’, depicting seven colours of the rainbow, aims to cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. Nadda launched the Mission on Good Governance Day to mark the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Madan Mohan Malaviya and birthday of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Nadda said, “We have identified 201 high focus districts in the country in the first phase which have nearly 50 per cent of all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children. These districts will be targeted by intensive efforts to improve the routine immunisation coverage.” He stated that of the 201 districts, 82 districts are in just four states of UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and nearly 25 per cent of the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children of India are in these 82 districts of four states.
“The Ministry will be technically supported by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other donor partners. Mass media, interpersonal communication, and sturdy mechanisms of monitoring and evaluating the scheme are crucial components of Mission Indradhanush,” said Nadda.
Under Mission Indradhanush, four special vaccination campaigns will be conducted between January and June 2015 with intensive planning and monitoring of these campaigns. The learnings from the successful implementation of the polio programme will be applied in planning and implementation of the mission, he noted. While 201 districts will be covered in the first phase, 297 will be targeted for the second phase in the year 2015.