Big share of funds for kids' jabs not spent: RTI data

NEW DELHI: Even as India allocates thousands of crores of rupees annually for child vaccination, RTI data shows that a significant share of funds remains unspent, raising questions over implementation in one of the country's largest public health scheme - National Immunisation Programme. Under the programme - which provides free vaccines to protect children against multiple diseases, including polio, measles and hepatitis B - allocations have risen to over Rs 3,400 crore in 2025-26, but spending has consistently lagged behind. In 2023-24, about Rs 2,250 crore was utilised against the Rs 3,232-crore approved, while in 2024-25, expenditure dropped to around Rs 1,971 crore against the Rs 3,186-crore sanctioned. For financial year 2025-26, only about Rs 1,060 crore was spent - data till Dec and marked provisional - out of the Rs 3,434-crore approved. The data is based on financial monitoring reports submitted by states and UTs. Despite this, the programme continues to operate at scale. Govt data showed that 2.3 crore to 2.5 crore children were vaccinated annually between 2021-22 and 2024-25. Full immunisation coverage has improved from 88.2% in 2021-22 to 98.1% in 2024-25, though it dipped slightly in 2023-24, data showed. RTI activist Amit Gupta said the programme is vital for protecting children and requires efficient, transparent use of funds with strong accountability. He also urged govt to expand coverage to include vaccines for influenza, typhoid and hepatitis, saying these are now essential for comprehensive child protection. However, the RTI response also points to gaps in data systems. Gender-wise vaccination figures were not provided and were instead referred to another division, indicating fragmented record-keeping. Vaccines are sourced from a network of public and private manufacturers, including Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Biological E and Indian Immunologicals.