India Achieves 93% DPT-3 Immunization Coverage

In 2022, India’s DPT3 immunization coverage rate reached 93 percent, exceeding the all-time high pre-pandemic coverage of 91 percent in 2019, and a significant rise from the 85 percent recorded in 2021.

What is DPT3 Vaccination?

DPT3 refers to the third dose of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine. DPT combination vaccines are a cornerstone of infant vaccinations worldwide. This vaccine is administered to children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age to provide immunization. According to estimates of national immunization coverage for 2022, which were issued earlier today by WHO and UNICEF, the coverage rate for DPT3 in the WHO South-East Asia Region has increased to the pre-pandemic level of 91%, a significant rise from the 82.1% recorded in 2021 (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine

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Outstanding Performance by South-East Asian Countires

As per data of 2022 submitted by the Government of India, a total of 25.2 million got the first dose of DPT-1 and 24.6 million received the DPT-3.According to Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, the WHO South-East Asia Region had the best immunization recoveries out of all WHO Regions. "Every youngster should receive routine immunizations to protect them from serious infections. Every kid must continue to gain from the immunization service recoveries for them to lead healthy and fruitful lives. Second, people are becoming more confident in the public vaccination program following the Covid 19 pandemic. The immunization campaign was mostly carried out through government-run facilities during the Covid 19 pandemic. The number of zero-dose children in the WHO South-East Asia area, or those who have not even received the first dose of DPT vaccination, has decreased by half, from 4.6 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in 2022.

India recorded a decrease in pertussis cases from 31,431 in 2000 to 4,362 in 2022, according to WHO/UNICEF data. There were 65 reported cases of tetanus in 2022 compared to 8,997 in 2000. In terms of diphtheria, there were 5,125 cases in 2000; by 2022, that number had dropped to 3,286. But measles cases have increased.

Measles, diphtheria, and other outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are possible as a result of unequal immunization coverage that results in pockets of children who have not received all of their recommended vaccinations. These gaps must be closed, says Dr.Singh.

Reference:

1. Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31424757/)

Source-Medindia