Universal Immunization Programme & Epidemic Control
India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), initiated in 1985 from the Expanded Programme on Immunization, is one of the largest public health interventions in the world. It provides free vaccines against twelve life-threatening vaccine-preventable diseases, including tuberculosis, polio, measles, rubella, rotavirus diarrhea, and Japanese encephalitis. Mission Indradhanush and its Intensified editions were introduced to systematically close immunization gaps in under-vaccinated districts. India achieved landmark public health milestones with the certification of Polio eradication by the WHO in 2014 and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination in 2015. Outbreak investigation and disease containment are steered by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- India was officially certified Polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 27 March 2014.
- Mission Indradhanush was launched in December 2014 to ensure full immunization coverage for children and pregnant women.
- The UIP provides protection against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases (including nationally and regionally administered antigens).
- The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Delhi acts as the nodal agency for disease surveillance and epidemic response.