National Vaccination Day 2024

Every year, on 16th March, National Vaccination Day is celebrated in India to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines. Today marks the anniversary of the introduction of oral polio vaccination in India.

On 16th March 1995, the Indian government started giving oral polio vaccination to kids to eradicate polio from India. It was the Polio Pulse Campaign. As part of the program, children aged 0 to 5 were given two oral drops. The last case of polio was reported in the state of West Bengal in 2011. Since 2014, India has been declared polio-free. 

Therefore, this day celebrates one of the biggest medical advancements in India that was possible due to vaccinations. To raise awareness and stress the value of immunisation, India established National Vaccination Day in honour of this enormous accomplishment and the critical role vaccines play in disease prevention.

The Theme for National Vaccination Day 2024 is “Vaccines Work For All.” National Vaccination Day is observed to raise awareness about the significance of getting vaccinated. Today, government and non-government organisations conduct vaccination drives nationwide to protect people from dangerous diseases.