Distinguished Lecture – Prof. Mira Johri, Professor, Université de Montréal, Canada
Date: 19th January 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: FLAME University, Pune, India
Abstract: Prof Mira Johri, Professor at the Université de Montréal, Canada delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the challenges faced by orphans and children without parental control in accessing essential health services, with a particular focus on child vaccination. Drawing on evidence from 189 UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys conducted across 82 predominantly low and middle income countries between 2005 and 2022, the lecture explored whether children lacking parental protection were at a greater risk of suboptimal vaccination. She highlighted a consistent association between orphanhood and missed vaccinations among children aged 12-59 months. In particular, she underlined the problem of zero-dose vaccination, a failure to receive the third dose of DPT and incomplete basic vaccination among orphans and children residing with neither of their biological parents indicating the importance of parental care in accessing routine immunisation services. Prof. Mira used extensive cross-country evidence to draw attention to the vulnerabilities faced by children without parental care and underscored the need to better support children at risk and uphold their rights. She emphasised that vaccination programmes should prioritize service delivery to orphans and children lacking parental care.
