GSK’s launches new campaign to encourage vaccination among children

GSK has announced the launch of its new multichannel campaign ‘Ab India Banega 7-Star.’ The campaign encourages the parents to secure their children’s future with 7 essential vaccinations* against 14 diseases**, which include chickenpox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, measles, mumps, rubella, pneumonia, influenza, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, HiB infection, and polio.

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends 7 vaccinations for children aged 1 to 2 years: two doses of chickenpox and hepatitis A, a second dose of meningitis and MMR, booster doses of PCV and DTP Hib IPV and an annual dose of flu (1). Although, immunisation coverage in the first year is high in India, drop-out rates after 1st birthday increase. Hence, a significant number of children in the country remain partially vaccinated (2) 

The central creative focus of the campaign films is on the critical need for the 7 vaccinations. The campaign will run across multiple media platforms such as TV, digital, social media, radio, CTV (connected TV), and OTT. Parents should consult their paediatricians to know more about the vaccination schedule for their children and utilise verified sources of information such as MyVaccinationHub.in 

References

* IAP recommends Japanese encephalitis vaccine and oral cholera vaccine for high-risk children between 1-2 years of age

** As per US ACIP recommendations, administering extra antigen(s) in a combination vaccine “… Is often permissible if doing so will reduce the number of injections required.” Reference: Chitkara AJ, et al. Hexavalent vaccines in India: current status. Indian Pediatrics. 2019 Nov; 56:939-50.

1. Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP): Recommended Immunization Schedule (2023) and Update on Immunization for Children Aged 0 Through 18 Years
2.  Exploring the Pattern of Immunization Dropout among Children in India: A District-Level Comparative Analysis