What happened
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reported two connected public-health developments under India’s immunisation system. First, the Universal Immunization Programme has kept National Full Immunization Coverage above 90% for four consecutive years. Second, the ministry has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign for eligible 14-year-old girls across all 36 States and Union Territories.
What the ministry said
According to the ministry, the National Full Immunization Coverage figures were maintained at a high level in the last four years, in line with the National Health Policy, 2017 goal of wide immunisation coverage. The ministry also said the Human Papillomavirus vaccine is being provided free of cost at designated government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Sub-District Hospitals, District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges.
The ministry further said awareness generation is being supported through radio jingles, posters, banners, myth-busting digital content, and social media platforms. The stated aim is to improve vaccine uptake among girls, especially in rural, tribal, and urban slum areas.
Background and earlier position
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