Last month, the WHO and UNICEF reported the largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately three decades. The report said 18 million of the 25 million children did not receive a single dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine during the year, with India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines recording the highest numbers.
The year 2021 was expected to be a recovery year for routine immunization as reduced lockdown measures and vaccine coverage rates of the Covid-19 vaccine improved significantly. However, data suggests that the uptake has been slower than expected for pediatric vaccinations across age groups, including school-entry children.
Transmission rates are high with children and vaccinating a child will not only protect them but also the vulnerable population around them. A study, that included India, found that children vaccinated against measles benefitted from cognitive gains and positive educational and economic outcomes that extended beyond early childhood.
Vaccine-preventable diseases in children can disrupt a family’s financial well-being and increase the need for health services and treatments such as antibiotics. It can also cause absenteeism from school and work for children and adults, resulting in lost productivity. In the long run, it can impair an already compromised immune system and result in poor growth.
Schools can serve as effective gatekeepers by ensuring that children are up to date with the vaccinations recommended by the health authorities and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Booster vaccination for school-entry children will ensure immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio. This protects the child while also reducing the risk of the disease spreading to other vulnerable populations such as infants and the elderly.
We continue to read reports of vaccine-preventable diseases, indicating that bacteria and viruses can easily cross borders and endanger a country’s disease-control status. Most of us who survived the pandemic will carry the lessons and losses for the rest of our lives. Vaccination is a shared responsibility - a logical step to take for our current and future generations, allowing them to enjoy their childhood while also keeping society connected and the economy growing. Let us work together to make the world a safer place for our children.
Earlier this year, the government announced the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 covering 416 districts across the country to be rolled out in three phases. This drive strengthens our efforts for catch-up vaccination, expands outreach, and significantly reduces the risks of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak. As we prepare to celebrate our 75th Independence Day with har ghar tiranga, let us ensure that har ghar with children under the age of five are up to date on their vaccination schedule. A protected child is a protected community.
Preeti Futnani, General Manager Vaccines, Sanofi India
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