The immunization programme has been a key player in the healthcare services of India since the introduction of Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985. It was implemented with the goal to achieve 85% coverage of primary immunization among infants and this was later increased to ensure universal coverage to all eligible children. Three decades later, the immunization coverage of India is far from the goal with only 62% of children being fully immunized according to NFHS–4 data (2015–2016). To address the immunization gap and to assess the correlates behind focal outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in the post polio eradication era, the issues of vaccine hesitancy needs be taken into account. This review was undertaken to elaborate on the concept of vaccine hesitancy in order to ascertain the attributes associated with such focal outbreaks and if possible to zero in on.

Understanding the spectrum of vaccine hesitancy is a growing challenge for countries seeking to achieve universal immunization coverage and research should be expanded to encompass the multiple factors of this phenomenon.