Incentives for Vaccines

The Challenge: Low vaccination rates lead to millions of preventable deaths every year

Immunization is a highly cost-effective way of improving child survival, yet each year millions of people die from vaccine-preventable diseases. In countries such as India, where vaccinations are provided for free in public health facilities, immunization rates have seen some increases but still remain low.  According to the most recent National Health Family Survey (2005-06), in Rajasthan only 44% of children aged 1-2 years had received the basic package of vaccines (BCG, measles and 3 doses each of polio/DPT). That percentage drops substantially, to 22%, in rural settings.