LocationsJames Jose / UNDP India
A Small Shot, A Big Promise: How Immunization Reaches Every Child
April 24, 2026
Perina holds up a vaccine vial
India’s Universal Immunization Programme touches millions of lives every year—reaching nearly 29 million pregnant women and 26 million newborns. It stretches across the country’s vast and varied landscape, from crowded urban neighbourhoods to distant hilltop villages and faraway islands reachable only by boat.
And today, it reached Perina too, as she walked into the local health centre, hand in hand with her parents.
“I always thought heroes only lived in comics. But today I met real ones right here. They may not fly in the sky but their magic protects children like me. Tiny bottles and injections that keep diseases away. When I was a baby I didn’t even know they gave me vaccines. But those small drops and injections built a shield inside me.”Perina
Perina walks into a health centre with her parents
India’s immunization programme keeps 12 vaccine-preventable diseases at bay and has already changed the course of public health. Diseases such as polio and smallpox have been vanquished, and others like measles and rubella are on the verge of elimination. All of this is because of vaccines, a herculean effort by health workers and digital health systems developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with technical support from UNDP.
Vaccination may cause momentary discomfort, but its impact is lasting
Digital platforms like eVIN help manage the vaccine supply chain, maintaining quality and ensuring that doses reach even the most remote areas. eVIN, started in 2015, is now operational at 30,000 cold chain points across the country. It is an easy-to-use mobile application for cold chain handlers that monitors SIM-based temperature loggers installed in refrigerators, providing real-time data on vaccine storage temperature.
eVIN is one of the key digital health stacks, functional across 30,000 cold chain points
Complementing this is U-WIN, a digital immunization repository that makes accessing vaccination services easier for families. It allows beneficiaries to receive vaccines at a time and centre of their convenience, anywhere in the country, while keeping records securely in one place. U-WIN, which is the world’s largest such electronic registry also assists health workers in digitally tracking vaccination status of beneficiaries, helping them to mobilize those who are due for vaccination. The platform is updated in real-time, providing a more accurate picture of the coverage status, with validation checks at every service delivery point.
A two-year-old about to receive the Measles Rubella vaccine
However, at the heart of the Universal Immunization Programme are healthcare workers, who bring both knowledge and reassurance to communities. They engage with hesitant parents, addressing fears and explaining not only the benefits of vaccination but also the risks of leaving children unprotected. Their efforts are rooted in evidence and experience, and the high levels of vaccine coverage across the country are a powerful reminder of what sustained commitment can achieve.
Perina gets vaccinated as her parents look on
“Yes I know we fear the pinch of the injection. But that tiny pinch is the most powerful protection in life. Every vaccine we get is tracked and stored by digital technologies. Our parents also get reminders to get children vaccinated. Please remind your parents to never miss vaccinations so that children like us can dream big, play freely and grow up healthy.”Perina
In the end, while the momentary discomfort of a vaccine may cause concern, its impact is lasting. With continued trust, awareness, and innovation, immunization remains a cornerstone in building a healthier future—where many more diseases can be reduced, and eventually, eliminated.
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