Every year on November 10, World Immunization Day reminds us of the power of vaccines to protect lives across the lifespan.In India, while childhood immunisation under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) has made great strides, adult immunisation remains under-acknowledged.

With a rapidly ageing population, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and increased vulnerability to vaccine-preventable infections, the need for adult immunisation as part of a "life-course" vaccination strategy is becoming urgent.

Adult vaccines not only protect individuals, but also bolster community immunity, reduce healthcare costs, and enable working-age adults to remain productive. Yet in India, adult vaccine-coverage is very low and awareness remains limited.

According to various reviews, the only nationally mandated adult vaccine (apart from tetanus in pregnancy) is lacking clear national guidelines.

On World Immunization Day 2025, let's explore how adult vaccines can help protect India, by examining the evidence, outlining current status and gaps, and discussing what can be done to scale up adult vaccination across the country.

Source:Ndtv