Goa launches life-course immunisation policy for adults

The Government of Goa has launched India’s first dedicated Life-course Immunisation Policy 2026–2036 to strengthen protection against vaccine-preventable diseases across adulthood. Titled “Goa Policy for Life-course Immunization 2026–2036”, the policy and its operational guidelines were developed by the Directorate of Health Services, Goa, in collaboration with Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and Goa Medical College, drawing on consultations with experts at the state and national levels.

Shri Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane, Hon’ble Minister for Health, Government of Goa, formally released the policy on September 23, 2026, making Goa the first state in the country to adopt a dedicated policy focused on life-course immunisation. The ten-year state policy is designed to extend the benefits of vaccination beyond childhood and integrate adult vaccination into routine healthcare.

Speaking at the launch, Shri Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane emphasised the importance of extending immunisation beyond childhood. He said, “The Goa Policy for Life-course Immunization 2026–2036 reflects our commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare, promoting healthy ageing and protecting adults who are particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. I believe this forward-looking approach presents an opportunity for Goa to demonstrate leadership in prevention-oriented healthcare and contribute valuable experience to the country.”

The policy addresses vulnerabilities among adults living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, kidney disease and cancer account for a substantial share of Goa’s disease burden, while individuals living with these conditions can face an increased risk of severe illness from vaccine-preventable infections.

The first phase of implementation will focus on pneumococcal, influenza and hepatitis B vaccination for eligible adults. Beneficiaries will include people living with diabetes and chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver diseases, cancer, immunocompromised individuals, as well as healthcare and other frontline workers, in accordance with the policy’s eligibility criteria.

Specialist and NCD clinics at Goa Medical College and district hospitals will identify eligible patients and facilitate vaccination.

Speaking about the policy’s long-term approach, Shri Yatindra M. Maralkar, IAS, Secretary (Health), Government of Goa, said, “Public health policy must evolve with changing population needs, disease patterns and scientific evidence. Our newly launched policy allows priorities to be reassessed as new evidence, technologies and recommendations emerge, ensuring that interventions remain relevant, feasible and responsive. This provides Goa with a structured pathway to progressively integrate life-course immunization into its health system.”

The policy implementation framework will include centralised vaccine procurement and cold-chain capacity, digital tracking of vaccination coverage, and monitoring of adverse events following immunisation.

Prof. Arun A. Elias, Director, GIM, was among the speakers at the policy launch event. Prof. Ajay Vamadevan, Professor, along with Dr Praveen Pradeep, Associate Professor, GIM, who contributed to the policy, also participated in the programme.

Speaking during the event, Prof. Arun A. Elias, Director, GIM, said, “At Goa Institute of Management, we embrace our mission of responsible leadership, and contributing to Goa’s development, including its healthcare needs, is part of that. This Life-course Immunization Policy shows what that looks like in practice: research on adult vaccination that has become something that can actually protect adults across the state from preventable diseases. I would particularly acknowledge our faculty, whose work helped translate that research into an implementable policy. This is exactly the kind of contribution we hope GIM can continue making”

The policy launch was followed by a panel discussion on “From policy to implementation in Goa, and implications for national adoption”. The discussion brought together experts from public health, clinical medicine and health policy to discuss the implementation of the policy, the challenges and opportunities in expanding adult immunisation, and its potential implications for wider adoption.

The Goa Policy for Life-course Immunization 2026–2036 emphasises evidence, monitoring, digital tracking and periodic review and is intended to allow the programme to evolve alongside emerging clinical evidence and national immunisation guidance.

For Goa Institute of Management, the initiative reflects the importance of bringing together public policy, healthcare delivery, management systems and evidence-based decision-making to address public health challenges.