Overview

Immunization is a health and development strategy to save people's lives. Vaccines lessen the risks of diseases as they work with the body's natural defenses to build protection. When one gets vaccinated, their immune system answers.

So many life-threatening diseases can be prevented by vaccines, helping people live longer and healthier lives. Immunization prevents millions of deaths each year from diseases like tetanus, influenza, measles, etc.

Immunization is an important component of primary health care and an undeniable human right, and it's also one of the best health investments. Vaccines are crucial to preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks and will be a vital tool in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.

Despite enormous progress, numerous people in India do not have access to vaccines. 

Impact

Vaccines make an immune system create antibodies when it's exposed to a disease. Vaccines do not cause the disease or put one at risk of its complications. Vaccines shield against many diseases like:

• Cholera
• Covid-19
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• Measles
• Meningitis
• Mumps
• Pneumonia
• Polio
• Rabies
• Some kinds of cancer
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Yellow fever

Some other vaccines are currently under development or piloted, including those that protect against malaria but are not yet widely available globally.

Not all vaccinations may be required for all people, and some may only be given if traveling to areas of risk. It is important to get vaccinated and get one’s family vaccinated with whichever vaccinations are available, consulting the healthcare provider.

PGC Response

PGC is working with other organizations and partners to improve national vaccination coverage. Through the plan, PGC:

• Is helping India commit to immunization as a priority - PGC works to set national targets, plans and allocates sufficient financial and human resources.
• Attempts to make individuals and societies recognize the significance of vaccines and demand immunization as their priority and responsibility.
• Planning and infrastructure to assure every individual is administered vaccines.
• Strengthen the immunization system so that it can become a platform for delivering other health care interventions.
• Increase funding for vaccination, ensuring safe and secure vaccine supply systems.
• Develop targeted research and development of innovations for new and improved vaccines.

Fact Sheet

PGC Resolution: To plan national vaccination drives, strengthening immunization to achieve maximum immunizations among citizens.