New Delhi, Mar 16: On the occasion of National Vaccination Day, Aakash Healthcare has released an in-depth analysis of its vaccination data spanning FY 2017–18 to FY 2025–26, highlighting a remarkable rise in vaccine awareness and uptake across India. The analysis reveals a 72% increase in overall vaccination volumes post-COVID, with adult vaccination witnessing a significant surge as preventive healthcare gains prominence in the post-pandemic era.
Over the nine-year period, Aakash Healthcare administered 123,941 vaccine doses to both paediatric and adult populations. Vaccination volumes peaked in FY 2024–25, with 18,188 doses administered, reflecting growing public awareness about timely immunisation. Average annual vaccination volumes rose from 9,902 doses pre-COVID (FY17–FY20) to 17,011 doses post-COVID (FY22–FY26), marking a 71.8% increase in vaccine uptake.
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare, said,
“The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed how people view preventive healthcare. Adults are now far more proactive about protecting themselves against preventable diseases. Vaccines once associated primarily with children, such as influenza, pneumococcal, and hepatitis, are increasingly being adopted by adults. This is an encouraging shift, as adult immunisation is a critical yet often overlooked pillar of public health.”
Adult Vaccination Awareness on the Rise The study highlights a 63.3% increase in adult vaccine uptake, from an average of 3,390 doses annually pre-COVID to 5,535 doses per year post-COVID. Adult vaccines such as influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis B, typhoid, and HPV have seen steady growth in demand. In the latest fiscal year, adults accounted for 37% of total doses, reflecting increasing awareness and acceptance of vaccination beyond childhood. Experts emphasise that adult immunisation reduces hospitalisations, prevents long-term complications, and curbs the spread of infectious diseases within communities.
Paediatric Vaccination Continues to Lead Paediatric vaccination remains the backbone of immunisation services, accounting for 63% of total vaccination volumes in the latest fiscal year. Average annual paediatric doses increased from 6,457 pre-COVID to 11,391 post-COVID, marking a 76.4% rise. Commonly administered vaccines included pneumococcal, BCG, influenza, tetanus, hepatitis B, rotavirus, and MMR, underscoring continued commitment to routine childhood immunisation.
The data also points to a broader public health trend: the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of preventive medicine. Vaccination, experts note, is not just a childhood practice but a lifelong health strategy, essential for reducing disease outbreaks, hospitalisations, and overall community disease burden.
Dr. Chaudhry further added,
“On National Vaccination Day, it is important to remember that vaccines are among the most powerful tools in modern medicine. Maintaining updated immunisation schedules for both children and adults will play a crucial role in building a healthier, disease-resilient population.”
