While noting that the current immunisation rate in the rural areas is around 58 per cent while it is over 67 per cent in the urban regions of the country with shortage of vaccine being one of the main reasons for low coverage, the Government on Monday said that no funds were released in the last three years for the development of any vaccines.
"The current immunisation rate in rural areas is around 58 per cent while it is over 67 per cent in urban regions of the country," Health Minister JP Nadda said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
"The reasons for the low rate of immunisation are lack of awareness among the parents about the benefits of vaccination, fear of side-effects of vaccination (adverse events following immunisation) and non-availability of vaccines or vaccinators at session sites etc."
Nadda said that the funds allocated by the Government to promote immunisation programme in India in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 are `221.70 crore, `188.91 crore and `189.26 crore respectively.
"No funds have been allocated by the Government for the development of new vaccines in the last three years," Nadda said.
Elaborating about steps taken by the Government to improve immunisation rates, Nadda said that the Government has been providing flexible funds to States for mobility support, alternate vaccine delivery and mobilisation of children accredited social health activists.
He said that the Government is also implementing 'Mission Indradhanush' and target areas with partial immunisation and no immunisation in 201 high-focus districts.