India Immunization Strengthening Project - Supplement

closed

The supplemental credit is consistent with the original project development objective, i.e., to eradicate poliomyelitis from India, through intensified supplemental activities, and fully meets the requirements for supplemental financing. Most importantly among the rationale for a Supplemental Credit, is that processing a free standing project runs the risk of a prolonged, and highly detrimental delay in providing immunization to the needy children. The Reproductive and Child Health Project, which will include immunization, and will be supported by the International Development Association (IDA), is expected to be processed for approval by the end of 2004, but the Government needs the additional funds by December 2003. The human, and financial costs of delay can be very high, in the form of increasing polio incidence; additionally, supplemental financing avoids the risk of disruption, and loss of momentum in India's implementation of the final phase of the polio eradication effort. Supply of additional polio vaccine under the proposed supplemental credit, will assist in the achievement of the original project objective of polio eradication.