New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced plans to extend the Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to all 36 States and Union Territories by September 2019, aiming to reduce child mortality caused by diarrhoeal diseases.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said the initiative forms part of the government's 100-day agenda and supports the national goal of eliminating preventable child deaths due to diarrhoea.
Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of severe diarrhoea among children under five years of age. According to government estimates, the disease results in nearly 8.7 lakh hospitalizations, 32.7 lakh outpatient visits and around 78,000 child deaths annually in India.
The vaccine is administered free of cost in three doses under the Universal Immunization Programme at approximately 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. Health experts note that vaccination, combined with improved sanitation, handwashing, safe drinking water, breastfeeding, oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc supplementation, can significantly reduce the disease burden.
Introduced in 2016 on a phased basis, the programme initially covered four states before gradually expanding across the country. By 2019, the vaccine had already been rolled out in 28 States and Union Territories, with the remaining regions scheduled for inclusion.
The Health Ministry said strengthening routine immunization remains a key strategy for improving child health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines nationwide.
