The National Vaccination Day, also known as National Immunization Day, is annually observed across India on 16th March to create awareness about the importance of vaccination against not only polio but also other viral diseases.
- The National Vaccination Day 2022 aims to encourage all the Indian people to participate in the world’s largest vaccination campaign, ‘National COVID-19 vaccination drive of India’, and get vaccinated against coronavirus.
The theme of National Vaccination Day 2022 is “Vaccines Work for all”.
Background:
i.The Government of India observed the first National Vaccination Day (Immunisation Day) on 16th March 1995.
ii.16th March 1995 also marks the day on which India administered the first dose of an oral vaccine against polio.
Note:
In 1988, India committed to the resolution passed by World Health Assembly (WHA) for global polio eradication and the National Immunization Day (NID) commonly known as the Pulse Polio Immunization programme was launched in India in 1995
What is Vaccination?
Vaccination is the term used for getting a vaccine. It is the process of getting an injection or taking an oral vaccine dose.
Events:
i.As a part of the National Vaccination Day 2022 (16 March 2022) observance, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) announced the commencement of free-of-cost COVID-19 vaccination for all beneficiaries in the 12-14 age group, at all government COVID-19 vaccination centres.
ii.The COVID19 vaccine to be administered would be Corbevax manufactured by Biological E. Limited, Hyderabad.
- This follows the decision of the government of India to start COVID-19 vaccination for the 12-13-year and 13-14-year age groups.
- Persons with age group of 14-18 years can be vaccinated using Covaxin.
National COVID-19 Vaccination Drive in India:
i.India started National COVID-19 Vaccination Drive on 16th January 2021 and administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
ii.Since the beginning of the vaccination drive, 90% of the eligible population has received the 1st dose and around 60% has got their 2nd dose. Additionally, precautionary doses, commonly known as booster shots, are being given to frontline workers and vulnerable individuals above the age of 60 years.
National Health Mission:
i.National Health Mission (NHM) was launched by the Government of India on 12 April 2005.
ii.It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women and to reduce neonatal mortality and maternal mortality.
- NHM operated under the MoHFW encompasses two Sub-Missions, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW):
Union Minister– Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (Rajya Sabha- Gujarat)
Minister of State(MoS)– Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar (Constituency- Dindori, Maharashtra)
