Every year on March 16, India celebrates the National Vaccination Day, also called the National Immunisation Day, to convey the importance of vaccination to the entire nation. It was first observed in the year 1995 when India started the Pulse Polio Programme. This year, the National Vaccination Day is important as India has started its biggest immunisation programme against coronavirus on January 16 this year and has already crossed the 30 million mark.

Purpose of the National Vaccination Day

The day was started with an aim to curb Polio plaguing the world and spread awareness about the disease and how it can be eradicated from the planet. About 172 million children are immunised during each National Immunization Day, said the website of the National Health Programme.

What is Immunisation

According to the WHO, immunisation is the process through which an individual’s immune system becomes fortified against foreign harm causing agent. A vaccines train a person’s immune system to create antibodies, which will safeguard the body when an active and strong form of the disease attacks the body.

There are various vaccination schemes adopted by the government, including Universal Immunisation Programme and Mission Indradhanush.