Centre On Report Claiming Children Missed Routine Vaccinations Over Covid

The clarification comes a day after UNICEF said India has the highest number of under-vaccinated or unvaccinated children worldwide at 3.5 million.

The government on Friday clarified that it has worked with states, union territories and development partners towards mitigating negative impacts of COVID-19, and was making efforts to ensure children receive life-saving vaccines under the Universal Immunization Programme. The clarification comes a day after UNICEF said India has the highest number of under-vaccinated or unvaccinated children worldwide at 3.5 million. In a statement, the Health Ministry, without naming anyone, said there have been some media reports alleging that lakhs of Indian children may have missed their routine vaccinations due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, leading to an increased risk of future outbreaks and deaths. "These reports are not based on facts and do not reflect the true picture," the ministry said.