Lucknow: The state govt’s vaccination campaigns have cut neonatal deaths over eight years, focusing on reaching all children, especially those who haven’t received any doses.
Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, principal secretary of health and family welfare, said that following the CM’s vision, steady decline in zero-dose children shows the combined efforts of the state health system, partner organizations, and the community.
“Our goal is to ensure that no child is deprived of vaccination. From remote villages to urban settlements, vaccination services are being expanded to reach every family. Vaccines are the most powerful tool to secure a child’s life and future. The govt will work faster so that UP becomes completely free of zero-dose cases and every child can live a healthy and safe life,” said Sharma.
State immunization officer Dr Ajay Gupta said the ‘Zero Dose Campaign‘, active since 2022, runs in 143 districts across 11 states, with Uttar Pradesh leading the initiative in 60 districts. These districts were selected based on NFHS-5 data identifying areas with the highest number of zero-dose children.
Dr Salman, senior paediatrician, explained that children without vaccines are at higher risk of life-threatening diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, and polio, which can also affect development and cause long-term disabilities like paralysis from poliomyelitis.
Key features of the campaign include identifying zero-dose children and communities, extending immunization to those left out, investigating reasons for no prior vaccination, deploying trained health workers, and generating awareness while dispelling misconceptions. Over 28 lakh vaccinations are conducted annually in Uttar Pradesh.
