50 years of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Houthis attacked Israel, District Mineral Foundation

(General Studies II – Health – Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources)

• 2024 marks 50 years since the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunization by the World Health Organization in 1974.
• India initiated its EPI in 1978, later renamed as the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985.

Impact of EPI & UIP –

• Vaccines have saved millions of lives and prevented billions of hospital visits. Every dollar spent on vaccination ensures a 7 to 11-fold return.

• In 1974, vaccines prevented six diseases; now, vaccines for 13 diseases are universally recommended, with research ongoing for vaccines against 125 pathogens.
• The coverage of children receiving three doses of DPT (protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) increased globally from 5% in the early 1970s to 84% in 2022. In India, the coverage reached 76% in 2019-21.
• Immunization programmes in low- and middle-income countries, including India, have higher coverage than other health programmes. In India, 85% to 90% of vaccines are delivered through government facilities.

Challenges in Immunization Coverage –

• Healthcare Infrastructure: The lack of adequate healthcare facilities and trained healthcare professionals, particularly in rural and remote areas, is a major barrier to immunization.
• Equity in Access: Despite the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), there are significant disparities in immunization coverage across different states, urban and rural areas, and among different socio-economic groups.
• Decline in recent times: UNICEF’s ‘The State of the World’s Children’ 2023 showed a decline in childhood immunization coverage in 2021. In 2022, 14.3 million children were zero dose, and 6.2 million were partially immunized.
• Adult Immunization: While children are the primary focus of immunization programs, adults also need vaccines for diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and hepatitis. However, adult immunization is often overlooked.

• COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted routine immunization services, leading to a decline in vaccine coverage
• Awareness and Acceptance: Misinformation and lack of awareness about the importance of vaccines often lead to vaccine hesitancy. This is further compounded by fears about side effects and distrust in the healthcare system.

Policy Recommendations –

• Strengthen vaccine supply chains with reliable cold chain infrastructure: The government should invest in upgrading cold chain infrastructure by expanding the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN), which monitors vaccine stocks and storage temperatures, should be expanded to cover all states.
• Expand Access and Coverage: Through measures like deploying mobile vaccination units to reach remote and underserved areas, like the ‘Teeka Express’ in UP, which provides regular immunization services and catch-up campaigns, especially in backward and hard-to-reach regions.

• Integrate with Other Health Services: Incorporate immunization services into existing health programs such as maternal and child health services, etc. to enhance accessibility. E.g.- Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) can be integrated with immunization drives.
• Enhance Public Awareness and Education: Develop culturally sensitive and locally relevant communication campaigns to educate communities about the importance and safety of vaccines. E.g. – Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) utilized mass media campaigns and community engagement, which can be emulated in all other programs.
• Combat Vaccine Hesitancy: Address myths and misinformation about vaccines by involving trusted healthcare professionals and community influencers in awareness campaigns. Provide clear, evidence-based information to counteract misconceptions. E.g.- The successful Pulse Polio Programme model. which overcame vaccine hesitancy, can be implemented across the board.
• Strengthen Health Workforce Training and Capacity: Through regular training programs and incentivizing performances. E.g.- ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers receive incentives for achieving immunization targets in their respective areas.
• Improve Data Collection and Monitoring: Establish and maintain digital immunization records for tracking individual vaccination status, etc. E.g.- The MoHFW’s initiative of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) can be improved.
• National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) should provide recommendations for adult and elderly vaccinations. HPV vaccines for teenage girls are a good start; similar steps are needed for wider adult immunization.

The 50th anniversary of the EPI is a pivotal moment to expand immunization programmes. The focus should be on zero-dose children, reducing vaccine inequities, and offering vaccines to adults and the elderly. It is time to make the EPI an ‘Essential Program on Immunization’.

• India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, following severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi.
• India committed $1 million in flood relief assistance to Vietnam and $100,000 to Laos.
• The Indian Navy (INS Satpura) and Indian Air Force (C-17 Globemaster) deployed ships and aircraft to deliver aid.

Dig Deeper: Read about different categories of tropical Cyclones.

• The Houthis, based in Sana’a, celebrated a recent missile attack on Israel near Ben Gurion Airport.
• Israel’s missile defence systems, Arrow and Iron Dome, attempted to intercept the recent Houthi missile, but it is unclear if the attempts were successful, raising tensions in the Middle East.
• The Houthis are a Shiite rebel group based in Yemen, officially known as Ansar Allah.

• They advocated for greater autonomy for the Zaidi Shia minority in northern Yemen.
• The group gained prominence during Yemen’s civil war, which began in 2014 when they took control of the capital Sana’a and ousted the Yemeni government.
• Saudi Arabia supported the Yemeni government against the Houthis.
• A ceasefire exists in Yemen, but the risk of a return to full-scale civil war remains.
• Iran has been accused of arming the Houthis.
• The Houthis have also used variants of Iranian ballistic missiles.

Dig Deeper: Locate on map countries affected by Hezbollah, Houthis and Hamas.

• After three years of preparation, two women officers (Lt. Commanders A. Roopa and K. Dilna) of the Indian Navy are set to embark on a challenging voyage to circumnavigate the globe onboard INSV Tarini.

• Both officers have undergone rigorous training for the Sagar Parikrama expedition, which requires exceptional skills, physical fitness, and mental endurance.
• They have experience in trans-oceanic expeditions from Goa to Rio de Janeiro, a double-handed voyage from Goa to Port Blair, and another to Mauritius.
• The Indian Navy has been promoting maritime heritage and seafaring skills through its ocean sailing expeditions, utilizing ships like INS Tarangini, and INS Sudarshini and circumnavigation aboard INSV Mhadei and INSV Tarini.

Dig Deeper:  Locate on the map Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn and Cape Leeuwin.

• In 2015, the Indian government amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, creating the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to channel royalties from mining companies toward community development in affected areas.
• This initiative, part of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY), aims to provide decentralized, community-driven development in mining-affected districts.
• DMFs have accumulated nearly ₹1 lakh crore, funding over 3 lakh projects across 645 districts in 23 states.
• DMFs are implementing three-year plans, involving elected representatives, and integrating with State and central schemes to maximize their impact.
• The National DMF Portal ensures transparency and efficiency in fund administration.

Dig Deeper: Read about Star Ratings of Mines.

• Surgeries performed for free under the Central government’s Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme.
• The ADIP Scheme, in operation since 1981, aims to assist persons with disabilities (PwDs) by providing durable, scientifically manufactured aids and appliances.
• These devices promote physical, social, and psychological rehabilitation, improve independent functioning, reduce the impact of disabilities, and enhance economic potential.
• Assistive devices provided under the scheme must be certified, and corrective surgeries, if needed, are conducted before providing the devices.
• Grants-in-aid are released to implementing agencies like ALIMCO, National Institutes, Composite Regional Centres, and NGOs for purchasing and distributing these aids.
• Under the ADIP scheme, the government provides up to ₹7 lakh for implants for children with pre-lingual hearing loss (ages 1-5) and ₹6 lakh for those with acquired hearing loss (ages 5-18).

Dig Deeper: Read about Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.