In an attempt to guarantee nationwide immunisation, the Union health ministry on Monday launched the second phase of immunisation programme under "Mission Indradhanush".
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda said the government aims to "leave no stone unturned" to make sure no child is left out of the "routine immunization program in the country" and are given "full protection", according to an official release.
"We aim to achieve more than 90% full immunization in the country by 2020 under Mission Indradhanush," he said.
In order to help healthcare workers keep better tab on immunisation coverage all over India, the health ministry is planning to implement technology such as tablets and apps as well, reported The Times of India.
Nadda said that he communicated with health ministers and health secretaries of different states via video conferencing to learn if their states are ready to incorporate the second phase of the immunisation programme, which targets to ensure that pregnant women and all children under two years of age receive immunisation against the seven vaccine curable diseases.
The second phase that starts from 7 October will stretch for a week before extending to week-long successive immunisation programmes for three back-to-back months, commencing from 7 November, 7 December and 7 January, 2016.
"Mission Indradhanush" has selected 352 districts, including 279 mid priority districts, 33 North East states and 40 districts from the first phase where several left out children were detected to require immunisation programme.
The first phase had started on 7 April, 2015 with initiatives taken in 201 high focus districts in 28 states and carried on for over a week in the months of April, May, June and July.
In these four months, "Mission Indradhanush" held 9.4 sessions in which nearly 2 crore vaccines were administered to children and pregnant women.
