Gujarat launched a massive free vaccination drive on June 15, 2025, targeting rural children under five to combat 12 preventable diseases. Spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the initiative aims to cover 20 lakh kids across 33 districts, ensuring equitable healthcare access. The campaign includes vaccines for polio, measles, and pneumonia, bolstering child health in underserved areas.
Gujarat Bolsters Child Health with Statewide Vaccination Campaign
On June 15, 2025, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a landmark free vaccination drive targeting rural children under five years of age, aimed at safeguarding them against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. Launched under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), the initiative seeks to immunize approximately 20 lakh children across the state’s 33 districts, with a focus on underserved rural communities. The campaign, flagged off from a primary health centre in the tribal-dominated Chhota Udepur district, emphasizes equitable healthcare access for all.
The vaccination drive covers critical vaccines, including those for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, hepatitis B, and pneumococcal pneumonia, among others. Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, present at the launch, highlighted the state’s commitment to reducing under-five mortality rates, citing the success of past campaigns like polio elimination in 2007 and maternal tetanus elimination in 2015. “This drive is a testament to Gujarat’s vision of a healthy future for its children, especially in remote areas,” he stated.
The state health department has mobilized over 10,000 health workers, including ASHA workers and anganwadi volunteers, to ensure the campaign’s reach. Around 8,000 vaccination centres have been set up, including at primary health centres, sub-centres, and mobile units to cover remote villages. The initiative also integrates digital tools like the eVIN system for real-time vaccine stock monitoring, ensuring no child is left behind due to supply shortages. Gujarat is one of the 12 states where eVIN is fully implemented, enhancing cold chain logistics for vaccine storage.
Special attention is being given to tribal and rural areas, with door-to-door campaigns to identify unvaccinated children. The health department has partnered with local schools and community leaders to raise awareness, addressing vaccine hesitancy in some pockets. A dedicated SMS reminder system, inspired by Rajasthan’s model, ensures parents are alerted about vaccination schedules.
The campaign also includes the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), which protects against pneumonia and meningitis, a significant cause of infant mortality. Since its introduction in 2021 in Gujarat, PCV has been a game-changer in reducing child morbidity. Additionally, the drive incorporates the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine and the Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine to ensure comprehensive protection.
Health officials reported that on the first day, over 50,000 children were vaccinated across districts like Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Dang. The state has secured 25 lakh vaccine doses, with additional supplies expected from the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech. Chief Minister Patel emphasized that the campaign will continue until every eligible child is vaccinated, with plans to extend it to urban slums in the next phase.
Challenges such as internet connectivity issues in remote areas, which hindered registration during previous COVID-19 vaccination drives, are being addressed through offline registration options and community outreach. The state has also roped in ‘village computer entrepreneurs’ to assist with registrations, a strategy that proved effective in past campaigns.
This initiative builds on Gujarat’s robust immunization legacy under the National Rural Health Mission, which has equipped rural health centres with vaccines since 2005. With a target to achieve 100% immunization coverage by the end of 2025, Gujarat’s health department is setting a benchmark for other states in prioritizing child health.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government health department announcements, National Health Mission reports, and credible media sources like The Times of India and The Hindu. Vaccination schedules and figures are subject to change based on official updates.