New Delhi, July 15 -- India has reduced the number of children who missed all vaccinations, also called zero-dose children by 43 per cent in just one year, according to new data released on Tuesday by WHO and UNICEF.

As per the 2024 data, India brought down its zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024, a drop of nearly 7 lakh.

"This is a proud moment for South Asia. More children are protected today than ever before," said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, while also stressing the need to reach the remaining children in remote areas.

South Asia, as a region, achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage. In 2024, 92 per cent of infants received the third dose of the DTP vaccine, whi...