Expanding and improving urban outreach immunization in Patna, India
Pradhan, N.; Ryman, T.K.; Varkey, S.; Ranjan, A.; Gupta, S.K.; Krishna, G.; Swetanki, R.P.; Young, R.
Tropical Medicine and International Health Tm and Ih 17(3): 292-299
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1365-3156 PMID: 22168133 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02916.xDocument Number: 565423
We conducted a case study of an urban immunization outreach strategy to determine the feasibility of the intervention and to measure administrative immunization coverage outcomes. A multipronged strategy for improving immunization coverage in Urban Patna, India, was implemented for 1 year (2009/2010). The strategy was designed to increase immunization sites, shift human resources, plan logistics, improve community mobilization, provide supervision, strengthen data flow and implement special vaccination drives. Over 1 year, the coverage of all primary vaccines of the Universal Immunization Program improved by over 100%. Coverage can be rapidly improved through outreach immunization in low socioeconomic areas if existing opportunities are carefully utilized.