National Immunization Programs

NIS Foundations - Shielding India

• Initiated as Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1978.
• Transformed into Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985.

  ⭐ UIP was launched nationwide in 1985, a pivotal public health milestone for India.

• Primary Goal: Reduce morbidity & mortality from Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) in children & pregnant women.
• UIP, India's National Immunization Program, delivers vaccines as per the National Immunization Schedule (NIS) under NHM (National Health Mission).

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NIS Schedule - Age-Wise Armor

⭐ Birth: BCG, OPV0, HepB (<24h).

Vaccine Profiles - Key Player Stats

📌 Live Vaccines: BCG, OPV, MR, Rota.

• BCG (Live Att.): Store +2°C to +8°C (light protect). Contra: Symptomatic HIV/SCID. AEFI: BCG lymphadenitis.
• OPV (Live Att. Oral): Store -20°C (long); +2°C to +8°C (short). Contra: Immunodeficiency (self/contact). AEFI: VAPP.
• IPV (Killed Inj.): Store +2°C to +8°C (No Freeze). Contra: Neomycin/Strep. anaphylaxis. AEFI: Local reactions.
• Pentavalent (Mixed): Store +2°C to +8°C (No Freeze). Contra: Progressive neuro disorder. AEFI: Fever, HHE. (See quote).
• MR/MMR (Live Att.): Store +2°C to +8°C; use recon. in 4-6h. Contra: Pregnancy, severe immunodeficiency. AEFI: Fever, rash.
• Rotavirus (Live Att. Oral): Store +2°C to +8°C. Contra: Intussusception Hx, SCID. AEFI: Mild GI upset, intussusception risk.
• PCV (Conjugate): Store +2°C to +8°C (No Freeze). Contra: Anaphylaxis. AEFI: Local reactions, fever.
• TT/Td (Toxoid): Store +2°C to +8°C (No Freeze). Contra: Anaphylaxis, Arthus rxn. AEFI: Local ("tetanus arm").

⭐ Pentavalent components: Diphtheria (Toxoid), Pertussis (wP), Tetanus (Toxoid), HepB (Recombinant), Hib (Conjugate).

Program Pillars - Reach & Vigilance

• Mission Indradhanush (MI): Aims to ↑ full immunization coverage.
  • Targets: Children < 2 yrs & pregnant women.
  • Intensified MI (IMI) for focused areas.

  ⭐ Target beneficiaries of Mission Indradhanush are children up to 2 years of age and all pregnant women.

• Pulse Polio Program: Mass campaigns; India polio-free since March 2014. Surveillance continues.
• Cold Chain: System for vaccine storage & transport at optimal temperatures.
  • Equipment: ILR, Deep Freezer, Cold Box, Vaccine Carrier.
  • VVM: 4 stages; discard at stage 3 or 4.

• AEFI (Adverse Event Following Immunization): Any untoward medical occurrence post-immunization.
  • Reporting: Mandatory for all AEFIs.
  • Serious AEFI: Death, disability, hospitalization, cluster (group of events).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), launched in 1985, provides free vaccines against 12 major diseases.
• Mission Indradhanush (MI) focuses on rapidly increasing full immunization coverage for children and pregnant women.
• Pentavalent vaccine protects against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Hib.
• India's polio endgame strategy includes Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV) alongside bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV).
• Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine aims to eliminate measles and control Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
• Newer vaccines like Rotavirus (RVV) and Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV) are progressively introduced nationwide based on disease burden.