Mira Johri PhD- Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada, Sunil Rajpal PhD- FLAME University, Pune, India, SV Subramanian,PhD- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

Reaching zero-dose children (infants who receive no routine vaccinations) is a global strategic priority. Using four rounds of nationally representative survey data, we studied the situation of zero-dose children in India over a 24-year timeframe from 1992 to 2016. Our aim was to trace aggregate trends and to clarify the contribution of large-scale social, economic, and geographical inequalities to child zero-dose status. 

Our results reveal that, over the 24-year analysis timeframe, the proportion of zero-dose children in India declined by 23·3% in absolute terms, with more rapid reductions among the worst off.  Yet, despite tremendous progress, we found that child zero-dose status was shaped by large-scale social inequalities and remained a consistent marker of generalized vulnerability. 

Please join us for a discussion of these findings, which yield insights relevant for Immunization Agenda 2030 into the complex causes of social disadvantage facing zero-dose children and the kinds of interventions that may be required to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational inequities. 

To register, please visit: https://unicef.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F0H2jyOqTUy7OpqpnIH2_g.

Article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00349-1/fulltext.