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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 445
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026
OCCUPATIONAL VACCINATIONS FOR ANAGANWADI AND ASHA WORKERS
445. SMT. SUDHA MURTY:
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has conducted any assessment of the health risks faced by
Anganwadi and ASHA workers due to frequent exposure to communicable diseases in
the community:
(b) whether these frontline workers are currently covered under any occupational
vaccination or adult immunisation schemes;
(c) if not, whether Government proposes to include Anganwadi and ASHA workers in a
structured occupational vaccination programme; and
(d) the steps being taken to improve awareness, access and record-keeping for adult
vaccinations among frontline community health workers?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (d): ASHA is trained female community health volunteer. ASHAs receive a
monthly incentive for routine and recurring activities. Additionally, they are provided
programme-based incentives for a varied set of activities under various National Health
Programmes. Currently, States are also providing State specific incentives/ Benefits over and
above the incentives/benefits approved by Government of India.
The Universal Immunization Programme provides 11 vaccines against 12 vaccine-
preventable diseases to all eligible beneficiaries, namely children and pregnant women.
There is no dedicated or separate adult immunisation or occupational vaccination
programme under the National Immunisation Programme specifically for Anganwadi Workers
and ASHA Workers as distinct occupational groups. However, during the COVID-19
pandemic, these frontline community health workers were classified as healthcare/frontlineworkers and were covered under the national COVID-19 vaccination programme, in view of
their role and higher risk of exposure to communicable diseases in the community.
Further, healthcare services are available free of cost across all levels of health facility
(Sub Centre, Primary Health Centre, Community Health Centre, Sub District Hospital, District
Hospital) and can be availed by all including Anganwadi and ASHA workers at any time.
During COVID-19 pandemic, the following incentives/announcements were made by the
Centre acknowledging the tremendous efforts made by ASHAs during the pandemic. The
details are-
Additional Incentive of Rs. 1000 per month per ASHA for undertaking COVID-19
related activities from January 2020 extending up to March 2022.
ASHA were also covered under ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP)’ for
Insurance of Rs. 50 Lakh (insurance scheme for health workers fighting COVID-19)
from April, 2020 with extension up to March, 2022 to provide safety net to the
dependents of health workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19 patients.
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