India produces over 60% of the total vaccines sold globally.

Free Universal Immunisation Programme was launched way back in 1985.

As Covid vaccination rolls out, let applause this great Indian success story, that must be handled with great care to ensure continued credibility

The vaccine production started in British times. Immediately after independence, a vast network of vaccine research and manufacturers was developed that made the success story possible

Expanded Programme of Immunisation was launched in 1978.

People of my age remember the extensive free vaccination in schools and all still have marks of vaccination on our arms.

Small pox to Polio have been eradicated.

free universal immunisation was expanded in 2005

This success story of vaccine development, manufacture and immunisation could happen because India laid a huge network of Research Institutes. A glance:

International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology  (ICGEB),Delhi

National Institute of Immunology (NII), Delhi 5/n

New Delhi

National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune

National Aids Research Institute (NARI), Pune

National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata

Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC), Chennai

Regional Medical Research Centre (BBSR), Bhuvaneshwar
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