Asia : Extending Twice Yearly Coverage to More Children

Because of its size, India is home to the largest number of vitamin A deficient children of any country in the world. MI and UNICEF work with the Governments of 15 Indian States that have the highest child mortality rates to help them increase the supply of oral vitamin A syrup and extend protection to many more children. State Governments are working to increase coverage in two main ways:

One involves extending the cut-off age for targeting children, from 36 months to 60 or even 72 months. Three States have already started to do this and coverage is gaining ground as a result.

Another approach involves instituting special distribution efforts twice yearly. Some States have started doing this with our support and have already achieved high coverage of children on each of two rounds. MI and UNICEF continue to work to support other States to move in these directions.