About 

• The Immunization Programme in India was introduced in 1978 as the ‘Expanded Programme of Immunization’ (EPI) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• In 1985, the programme was modified as ‘Universal Immunization Programme’ (UIP) to be implemented in a phased manner to cover all districts in the country.
• Under UIP, immunization is providing free of cost to pregnant women and children (from birth to 16 years) against 12 vaccine preventable diseases:
  • Nationally against 9 diseases – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Hemophilus Influenza type B;
  • Additionally, vaccines are provided against Rotavirus diarrhoea, Pneumococcal Pneumonia, and Japanese Encephalitis in specific regions. 
• ​​Under UIP, a child is considered fully immunized after receiving all vaccinations as per the national schedule within the first year of life. 
• The two major milestones of UIP have been the elimination of polio in 2014 and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination in 2015.

Mission Indradhanush

• Mission Indradhanush, launched in 2014, aimed at increasing the full immunization coverage for children across the country, with a goal to reach 90% coverage. 

Intensified Mission Indradhanush 

• To further intensify the immunization programme, the Government of India launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush in 2017. 
• Through this programme, Government of India aims to reach each and every child up to two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme/UIP.