- Records more than 1 Million registrations increasing India’s immunization coverage
- Only 51.6% of Indian children below 2 years receive timely recommended vaccines
April 28 2016, 15.08 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
Pune, April 28, 2016: On account of World Immunization Week (April 24-30), Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and Immunize India Charity came together to discuss challenges and solutions to ‘Close the Immunization Gap’ in accordance with the 2016 WHO Theme. They also highlighted milestones achieved by their joint program ‘IAP-Immunize India’ making it the largest national healthcare initiative of its kind to increase Immunization adherence and coverage across the country.
India’s Immunization coverage compared to its developed neighbors is very low. Annually, vaccine preventable diseases account for over 1.5 million deaths and about 1 million disabilities in children below 5 years in India. It is important to administer vaccinations for the top life-threatening vaccine preventable diseases in India such as Pneumonia, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, rotavirus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.
Features of IAP Immunize India • Simple, Free SMS Service • Needs only Mobile phone with network • Access across India on all networks • Clear, concise SMS messages • Software based auto-SMS • Follows IAP immunization schedule • Modifiable to new schedules • Freedom to join or leave anytime • 3 reminders in the week when the vaccine is due • Vaccination Reminders for 12 years
Commenting on the concerns of low Immunization rate in India, Dr. Pramod Jog, National IAP President and Consultant Pediatrician, Dr Pramod Jog Childrens Clinic, Pune said, “In India, the percentage of children between 12–23 months of age who received all recommended vaccines on time is just 51.6%. A major reason is that parents do not maintain a vaccination calendar and often forget to vaccinate the child on time in a disciplined manner. This default is observed in both urban and rural areas. 14% of infants who come in contact with immunization services to receive their BCG Vaccine do not receive their measles vaccine scheduled at 9 months. Many children below 5 years do not receive regular pneumococcal vaccines. These lapses are responsible for increased rates of child morbidity and mortality in India which can definitely be avoided.”
Prompted by distressed parents’ dilemma of delayed or missed immunization for their children, Immunize India Charity conceived the Vaccine reminder program and partnered with IAP to launch ‘IAP Immunize India’ in March 2014. IAP-Immunize India is a free-of-cost SMS based vaccination reminder service which is nationally available across all mobile networks in India. Since almost every adult in urban and rural areas have mobile phones, the SMS reminder service is the most cost effective reminder method that a vaccination is due.
To this, Dr. Pramod Jog added, “The Maharashtra Telecom Circle (including Pune and Goa but excluding Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan) recorded 118301 registrations at IAP Immunize India.”
Highlighting the success of IAP Immunize India, Dr Ranjan Kumar Pejaver, Founder & Principal Trustee, Immunize India Charity said, “Vaccination reminder services have been effective in several countries in increasing immunization compliance by 20%. As of 31st March 2016, IAP Immunize India has received more than 1 million registrations (1,006,000) across India which has contributed greatly to increased compliance. An additional 300,000 vaccinations are happening which would have normally been missed. Our program won several notable national and global awards, recognitions and requests. The Indian Government also has come forward to register and utilize this alert service at their Institutions. The University of Kentucky, USA approached us to implement a pilot program. Observing a 48% increase in immunization compliance, they now want to extend to Kentucky State with a grant from American Academy of Pediatrics.”
The IAP Immunize India campaign aims to Increase the immunization coverage in India by creating awareness of its program using media and seeking co-operation from allied organizations such as obstetric, midwifery, nursing and other medical associations. Software upgrades, development of Apps and Audio Visuals is another goal for us to enable multi-lingual SMSs and better access to our program. Immunize India Charity is also keen to provide the expertise needed to implement the program in interested countries wishing to improve immunization coverage.
IAP Immunize India messaging costs are supported by its telecom partner Vodafone and its field promotion is supported by an education grant from Pfizer.
Milestones by IAP Immunize India * Inaugurated by R K Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health in March 2014, IAP Immunize India received over a million registrations in 2 years from March 2014 to 2016 making it the World’s single largest vaccine alert program * Won the Ericsson CNN-IBN Networked India Awards (August 2015) for ‘Best innovation of 2015’ * Won the ET Telecom National Awards (March 2016) for ‘Best use of IT and Telecommunications for social good – non-profit’ * Appreciated by the Pan American Health Organization (WHO) and featured in its ‘Immunization Newsletter’ (February 2015) * Successful pilot in Kentucky, USA. Interest from Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam to start the program in those countries.