Shocking Flaws in Zero-Dose Children Report: India’s Vast Population Overlooked in WHO-UNICEF Data
India’s vast population has not been adequately considered in the latest WHO and UNICEF national immunisation coverage estimates (WUENIC), say official sources. Despite having the second highest number of zero-dose children globally, Indian health officials assert the country remains committed to reducing this number, emphasizing that these children represent only 0.11% of India’s total population. According to Union Health Ministry sources, India’s rank improved from 2021, when it had 27.3 lakh zero-dose children, to nearly 16 lakh children in 2023, second to Nigeria’s 21 lakh.
Health ministry officials argue that WUENIC’s comparison is flawed without considering the base population. India’s antigen-wise coverage exceeds global averages, with DPT 1 coverage at 93% versus the global 89%, DPT3 at 91% compared to 84% globally, and MCV1 at 92% against the global 83%. A special zero-dose plan is under implementation to reach these unvaccinated children.
The WUENIC data, released on July 15, enumerates 20 countries with India leading, followed by Ethiopia, Congo, Sudan, and others. These nations were prioritized under the Immunisation Agenda 2030 for their high numbers of zero-dose children in 2021. The World Health Organisation has called for enhanced efforts to identify and immunise these children, especially in Southeast Asia.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/zero-dose-children-comparison-flawed-indias-population-not-considered-sources-on-who-unicef-data/article68413057.ece
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