The details regarding the progress under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and the recent initiatives to introduce new vaccine are given below:

• As per the National Health policy 2017 goals, the National Full Immunization Coverage has been maintained more than 90% for the last four years details of which are as follows:

• The Nationwide HPV vaccination campaign was launched on 28th February 2026 for approximately 1.2 crore eligible beneficiary girls aged 14 years across all 36 States and Union Territories. The HPV vaccine is delivered free of cost at designated government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs- Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals (SDH)/District Hospitals (DHs) & Government Medical Colleges (GMCs). Awareness generation is promoted through IEC materials such as radio jingles, posters, banners, myth-busting digital content and social media platforms to ensure high vaccine uptake among girls particularly in rural, tribal, and urban slum areas.

To prepare against future pandemics/public health emergencies in the country, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has provided the following support to States/UTs: -

• Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched to strengthen public health infrastructure at the primary and secondary levels of care; enhance capacity for disease surveillance, diagnostics, and research for emerging and re-emerging diseases; and develop a resilient health system capable of responding effectively to public health emergencies.
• Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) was strengthened for carrying out disease surveillance activities. IDSP allows for a decentralized system of response through trained multi-disciplinary Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established a network of more than 160 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) for laboratory-based diagnosis of pathogens. 

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, launched the Integrated Training Module for the Primary Healthcare Team at Ayushman Arogya Mandir in April 2026. The Integrated Training is a single, structured, and competency-driven framework for Medical Officers (MO), Staff Nurses (SN), Community Health Officers (CHO), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) and ASHAs (and ASHA Facilitators).

The following steps were taken to boost medical oxygen infrastructure in the States/UTs: -

• Oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators & Liquid Medical Oxygen tanks were supplied to the States/UTs.
• Pressure Swing Adsorption plants (PSA) plants and Medical Gas Pipeline Systems were established in States/UTs.

Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Health Management Information System (HMIS), Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) Portal and National Program for Non-Communicable Disease (NP-NCD) Portal are presently operational. These portals enable real-time data collection, data analysis, data visualization and dissemination of epidemiological information to support early detection of outbreaks.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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SR

HFW/PQ-Update on Immunization Programme and Pandemic Preparedness/21 July 2026/4