India observed National Vaccination Day on March 16 to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases and safeguarding public health. The day also commemorates the launch of the Pulse Polio Immunizations Programme in 1995, a nationwide initiative that played a crucial role in eliminating polio from the country.
The observance recognises the efforts made by health authorities and frontline workers to expand vaccination coverage across India. It also highlights how sustained immunisation drives have helped strengthen community immunity and improve health outcomes in both urban and rural areas.
National Vaccination Day is closely associated with the beginning of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme on March 16, 1995. The campaign was launched to eradicate polio by administering oral polio drops to millions of children. As part of the programme, children aged between one and five years received the vaccine through large-scale drives organised in schools, hospitals and community centres across the country.
The initiative followed a global call by the World Health Organization in 1988 to eradicate polio worldwide. India joined the international effort and subsequently implemented one of the largest vaccination campaigns in the world.
Over the years, continuous immunisation efforts helped bring down the number of polio cases significantly. India was eventually declared polio-free by the World Health Organization on March 27, 2014, after the country reported no new cases of the disease for five consecutive years. The milestone is widely regarded as one of India’s major public health achievements.
Vaccination programmes continue to play a key role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. By building immunity in individuals, vaccines help reduce transmission within communities and protect vulnerable populations.
Large-scale immunisation campaigns have also been important during health emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India carried out nationwide vaccination drives to protect millions of people from severe illness and reduce the overall impact of the global health crisis.
National Vaccination Day is observed each year with a theme that emphasises the need to expand access to vaccines. The theme for 2026 is “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,” which highlights the importance of ensuring that vaccines are accessible to everyone regardless of location or economic background.
Over the years, vaccination drives in India have helped prevent several serious diseases, including measles, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and tuberculosis, strengthening the country’s healthcare system and improving protection against infectious diseases.