Vaccination drive launched in 2017 on the directions of CM Yogi, extended to all districts by 2020
Coverage of scheduled PCV doses in the state reaches nearly 98%, while the full immunisation rate stands at 99.41%
Lucknow, November 2026 : The Yogi government is conducting a statewide routine immunisation drive to protect children against pneumonia and serious respiratory infections. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the government is focusing on expanding access to healthcare services while ensuring that children are protected against serious diseases. In this endeavour, the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) has emerged as an important shield against pneumonia among children.
The efforts of the Yogi government have resulted in the coverage of scheduled PCV doses under the state's routine immunisation programme reaching nearly 98 percent. During winter, falling temperatures and air pollution increase the risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia among children below five years of age, particularly infants. Timely PCV vaccination therefore plays a crucial role in protecting children against this serious disease.
State Immunisation Officer Dr Ajay Gupta said, "On the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a large-scale vaccination drive is being conducted across the state to protect children against pneumonia." He appealed to parents to ensure that their children receive all prescribed vaccine doses on time.
He added, "Routine immunisation facilities are available free of cost at government health centres. In line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision, efforts are being made to ensure that no child is left out of the vaccination programme."
Uttar Pradesh, among the leading states in the country, introduced PCV vaccination as early as 2017. Initially, it was implemented in phases and extended to all districts of the state by 2020. Subsequently, in 2021, PCV was included in the routine immunisation programme across the country. The state continues to make sustained efforts to protect children against various serious diseases through its routine immunisation programme.
The extensive reach of immunisation services is evident from the fact that Uttar Pradesh recorded a full immunisation coverage rate of 99.41 percent in FY 2023-24.
Under the PCV vaccination programme, approximately 57,21,205 children received the first dose, 55,62,351 received the second dose and 57,39,982 received the booster dose in FY 2025-26.
In FY 2026-27, up to September, approximately 26,75,428 children had received the first dose, 26,44,619 the second dose and 27,84,459 the booster dose.
According to a recent report by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), PCV vaccination coverage in India increased from 56 percent in 2019 to 80 percent in 2025. Uttar Pradesh, being one of the country's largest states, has played a significant role in this progress. The introduction of PCV vaccination in the state in 2017 and its expansion to all districts by 2020 helped extend this important pneumonia-prevention intervention to children across Uttar Pradesh.
Dr Ajay Gupta said, "Timely vaccination is essential to protect children against serious diseases." He appealed to parents to ensure that their children receive all prescribed PCV doses as per their vaccination cards.
The Yogi government's objective is to ensure that every child benefits from immunisation and that no child remains vulnerable to the threat of serious diseases such as pneumonia.
