Update on Immunization Programme and Pandemic Preparedness

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports that full immunisation coverage has stayed above 90% for four consecutive years, recording 94.7% (2022‑23), 93.7% (2023‑24), 98.3% (2024‑25) and 97.9% (2025‑26). A nationwide HPV vaccination drive was launched on 28 February 2026 targeting about 1.2 crore girls aged 14 across all states and UTs, with free doses at government health facilities and extensive IEC outreach. To bolster pandemic preparedness, the Union launched the Pradhan Mantri‑Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, strengthened the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, and ICMR set up a network of over 160 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. Additional measures include an integrated training module for primary‑care teams (April 2026) and the deployment of oxygen cylinders, concentrators, PSA plants and medical gas pipelines to states and UTs.