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India Quashes Report Claiming Children Missed DTP Vaccine; Records Highest Coverage In 21
The Health Ministry clarified that the country has achieved the highest-ever 99% DTP3 vaccine coverage in the first quarter of 2021 as measured by HIMS
PTI
The Union Health Ministry on Thursday refuted media reports alleging that lakhs of children in India have missed routine vaccinations due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, leading to an increased risk of future outbreaks and deaths.
According to the official data shared by the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 3 million children in India missed out on their first dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis combination vaccination (DTP-1) in 2020. It added that 3.5 million more children did not receive the first dose of the DPT 1 vaccine in 2019 than in 2018, and 3 million more children did not receive their first measles shot.
Highlights
The Union health ministry said India achieved 99 per cent coverage of DTP3 (three doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines) in the first quarter of the year.
The ministry also stated that it along with all States and UTs and development partners, has worked towards mitigating the negative impacts of COVID-19.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday (July 16, 2021) issued a detailed statement and debunked reports of lakhs of Indian children who may have missed routine vaccinations owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health ministry clarified that the authorities have been focused on maintaining essential services including immunization under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
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There have been some media reports alleging that lakhs of Indian children may have missed their routine vaccinations due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 leading to increased risk of future outbreaks and deaths.
These reports are not based on facts and do not reflect the true picture.
It is clarified that since the outbreak of the pandemic, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been focused towards maintaining essential services including immunization under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). The Ministry along with all States and UTs and development partners, has worked towards mitigating negative impacts of COVID-19 and taking urgent actions to ensure that children receive life-saving vaccines under UIP.
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Centre focused on maintaining essential services including immunisation under UIP: Health Ministry aninews.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from aninews.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.