Gujarat Vaccinates Over 11 Lakh Infants in Major Health Drive

The government of Gujarat has successfully vaccinated over 11.30 lakh infants and more than 24 lakh children during the 2025–26 period under its Universal Immunisation Programme. This significant health initiative, as reported on March 15, 2026, involved comprehensive vaccination efforts aimed at infants, schoolchildren, and pregnant women across the state.

Between April 2025 and February 2026, over 11.30 lakh infants under one year of age completed their full immunisation schedule. During this timeframe, 11.94 lakh children received the BCG vaccine, while 11.59 lakh were administered the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. Furthermore, 11.24 lakh children were vaccinated against measles and rubella.

Comprehensive Vaccination Strategies

Vaccination programmes were organized in schools and balvatikas, facilitated through collaboration between the education and health departments. Students aged 10 and 16 years received vaccinations in schools, while children aged five received their second dose of the DPT vaccine in balvatikas. These initiatives collectively covered over 24 lakh children throughout the year.

In a bid to maintain its polio-free status since 2007, Gujarat conducted a special campaign in 14 districts in 2025. During this campaign, polio drops were administered to 24.65 lakh children under five years of age. Health services have also extended to remote regions through innovative mobile initiatives such as “Tika Express,” “Mobile Mamta Day,” and the “Khilkhilat Vehicle,” which deliver vaccines and maternal healthcare in hard-to-reach areas.

A focused vaccination drive was executed during the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar” fortnight from September 17 to October 2, 2025, which aimed to enhance maternal and child health. Over 3.58 lakh children and more than 1.24 lakh pregnant women received vaccinations during this campaign. Pregnant women were given the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine during antenatal check-ups, while children were vaccinated against various diseases, including BCG, pentavalent, measles-rubella, pneumococcal, injectable polio, oral polio, and rotavirus.

Future Initiatives and HPV Vaccination

Looking ahead, Gujarat will launch a one-day intensive measles-rubella elimination campaign on National Immunisation Day. Using real-time data from the Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Information Management System and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, health officials have identified high-risk zones, including industrial areas and border districts with significant migrant populations. The upcoming campaign will specifically target children aged nine months to ten years to ensure comprehensive vaccination coverage.

Separately, Gujarat has begun implementing the nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme launched on February 28. This initiative focuses on girls aged 14–15 years to help prevent cervical cancer. Officials noted that the HPV vaccine, which typically costs between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 in the private sector, is being provided free of charge to eligible beneficiaries under the government programme.

Safety protocols are a priority during vaccination efforts. Measures include ensuring beneficiaries are not vaccinated on an empty stomach and monitoring them for 30 minutes after receiving the dose. Through these comprehensive vaccination strategies, Gujarat aims to bolster public health and ensure the well-being of its youngest citizens.