Third phase of immunisation programme from April 7: Ministry

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry will roll out the third phase of 'Mission Indradhanush' immunisation programme from April 7 onwards to cover children and pregnant women missed during the earlier two phases across the country.

During the third phase, 216 districts across India will be targeted.

"We will cover 216 highly focused districts. Twenty-six districts that did well in the earlier phases have been dropped and 41 new districts added to the list for special focus under the third phase," Additional Health Secretary C.K. Mishra told media persons here.

Mission Indradhanush was launched on December 25, 2014 to ensure all children under the age of two and pregnant women were immunised against preventable diseases of diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B and measles.

As many as 38.1 lakh pregnant women and 38.7 lakh children were immunised in the two phases.

Mishra said: "The immunisation programme has been a bit challenging in the north-east due to geographical factors. However, the government will ensure that no children are left out in the third phase."

As per the ministry statistics, Andhra Pradesh tops with 98 percent immunisation, followed by Punjab, Karnataka and Rajasthan with 81 percent each.