Every year, National Vaccination Day is celebrated by the Government of India on March 16 throughout the nation. The day is observed to educate the country’s general people about vaccines and their importance for the human health system.
The Indian government also observes this day to recognize, highlight, and honor the dedication of front-line healthcare professionals who work to ensure that every child receives vaccinations.
Moreover, National Vaccination Day is about commemorating India’s victory against the deadly disease of polio. It affects society and the economy both locally and nationally, in addition to improving health and life expectancy.
Vaccination plays an important role in public health. People realized how vital vaccination was for public health during the COVID-19 epidemic when it was the only option to safeguard against a fatal illness.
History of National Vaccination Day
The first dose of the oral polio vaccine was administered in India on March 16 in the year 1995. Therefore, national immunization day, also known as Vaccination Day, honors the government’s Pulse Polio Programme. This immunization campaign was crucial in ending polio in the nation.
Two drops of the oral polio vaccine were administered to children between the ages of 0 and 5 as part of the Pulse Polio Programme, which gained popularity in 2014. Later, the World Health Organization declared India to be polio-free.
Since the last instance of polio was discovered in Bengal in 2011, India has launched numerous vaccine campaigns to tackle diseases, including tetanus, mumps, tuberculosis, etc.
Significance of National Vaccination Day
Vaccination is essential because it strengthens the immune system and allows patients to resist harmful infections. As a result, parents are always encouraged to vaccinate their kids. Your child’s health depends on receiving their vaccinations on time.
Vaccination is safe and effective because every vaccine is rigorously examined by medical professionals, researchers, and the government to make sure that they are harmless & potent. Over the last few decades, vaccines have become a necessary weapon to tackle life-threatening diseases worldwide.
The report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that vaccines save around 2 to 3 million people annually. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe, the Government of India is taking every necessary precaution to immunize every resident of India against the disease.
Therefore, each year, India observes National Vaccination Day on March 16. The day provides the government of India with a significant way to convey the importance of vaccination to the nation’s people.
The Theme of National Vaccination Day 2023
The theme of National Vaccination Day 2022 was ‘Vaccines Work for all. The National Vaccination Day 2022 theme emphasizes how vaccines work for all and save lives against life-threatening diseases. But the theme for the 2023 year has yet to decide.
How to Celebrate National Vaccination Day?
On March 16, National Vaccination Day, the government officially launched various health-related programs. And numerous programs are organized at schools and hospitals to vaccinate people free of cost.
Various government hospitals have created programs through which individuals are informed about the benefits of vaccination and disease prevention. Small children are given anti-polio medicines in many hospitals and government facilities.
In India, there are still many tiny towns and villages where residents need to be more aware of the value of vaccinations. In this case, the state governments send medical teams to these towns and villages to educate residents about immunization.
National Vaccination Day Quotes; Slogans, Messages
(I) “It’s clear that prevention will never be sufficient. That’s why we need a vaccine that will be safe.” — Luc Montagnier
(II) “Vaccines are the tugboats of preventive health.” — William Foege
(III) “Vaccines save lives; fear endangers them. It’s a simple message parents need to keep hearing.” — Jeffrey Kluger
(IV) “Vaccines are a miracle; they’re fantastic. Anything that makes people hesitate to give their children these vaccines according to the recommended schedule creates risk.” — Bill Gates
(V) “Vaccines are the most cost-effective health care interventions there are. A dollar spent on a childhood vaccination not only helps save a life, but greatly reduces spending on future healthcare.” — Ezekiel Emanuel
(VI) “Vaccines are extremely well tested; their safety is well understood. The false allegations about vaccines causing autism have been disproven. But there are still echoes out their confusing people.” — Bill Gates
(VII) “There is no evidence, that I am aware of, that points to a link between vaccines and developmental disability.” — Jill Stein
(VIII) “You can have the best vaccines for a woman or her child, but if you can’t get her to come and get them then they won’t work.” — Melinda Gates
(IX) “No country is safe until every country is safe.” — Luis Almagro
Frequently Asked Questions on National Vaccination Day
Ans: Every year, National Vaccination Day is celebrated by the Government of India on 16 March nationwide. The day is observed to educate the country’s people about the importance of vaccines.
Ans: The theme of National Vaccination Day 2022 was ‘Vaccines Work for all.
Ans: National vaccination Day is essential to convey the importance of vaccination to the nation’s people.
Ans: Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV).