Goa Launches 10-Year Life-Course Immunisation Policy, Expanding Vaccination Beyond Childhood

Goa has launched India’s first dedicated Life-Course Immunisation Policy for 2026–2036, creating a 10-year framework to extend vaccination beyond childhood and make immunisation part of preventive healthcare for adolescents, adults and older people. The policy was launched on September 23, 2026, by Goa’s Directorate of Health Services in collaboration with Goa Institute of Management and Goa Medical College.

The initiative comes as India’s healthcare system faces a growing burden of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory illnesses, kidney disease and cancer. People living with some of these conditions can face a higher risk of complications from vaccine-preventable infections.

Vaccination moves beyond childhood

India’s immunisation programmes have traditionally focused heavily on children, but Goa’s new policy takes a life-course approach, linking vaccination needs to a person’s age, health status and medical risk factors.

The framework gives particular attention to older adults, immunocompromised people, organ-transplant recipients and people living with chronic diseases. Healthcare and frontline workers are also included among groups that may qualify for vaccination under the policy’s eligibility criteria.

Rather than immediately introducing universal adult vaccination, Goa is initially using a risk-based approach, with the first phase focused on groups considered more vulnerable to severe disease.

Three vaccines in the first phase

The initial implementation will focus on vaccination against influenza, pneumococcal disease and hepatitis B for eligible adults.

Specialist and non-communicable disease clinics at Goa Medical College and district hospitals will help identify eligible individuals and facilitate vaccination. The existing primary healthcare and immunisation network will also be used to support implementation.

The policy also covers protection against tetanus and diphtheria, with vaccination schedules determined according to age and individual risk factors.

Digital tracking and cold-chain infrastructure

The policy is not limited to recommending vaccines. Goa has also outlined an implementation system covering centralised vaccine procurement, cold-chain capacity, digital tracking of vaccination coverage and monitoring of adverse events following immunisation.

Healthcare workers will receive training to identify people who may benefit from vaccination, counsel patients and support vaccine uptake.

The state also plans to integrate vaccination with existing NCD clinics and specialist services rather than creating an entirely separate delivery system.

Why the life-course approach matters

Vaccination needs can change throughout a person’s life. An individual’s risk profile may be different during adolescence, pregnancy, older age or while living with a chronic disease or weakened immune system.

Goa’s policy therefore moves away from viewing immunisation primarily as a childhood intervention. Instead, it creates a framework in which vaccination can be reviewed alongside other aspects of preventive healthcare.

The policy is designed as a 10-year framework that can be periodically reviewed and updated as new evidence, vaccines, technologies and national recommendations emerge.

For the wider Indian healthcare system, Goa’s initiative also provides a state-level example of how adult vaccination could be incorporated into routine health services. Its actual impact will depend on implementation, eligibility awareness, vaccine access, healthcare-worker training and sustained monitoring.

The broader public-health message is straightforward: immunisation does not necessarily end when childhood vaccination schedules are completed. For some people, vaccination later in life can form part of preventive healthcare based on age, health conditions and individual risk.

This article is for general health information and does not determine whether an individual should receive a particular vaccine. Vaccination decisions should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.