Significant vaccination delay can occur even in a community with very high vaccination coverage: evidence from Ballabgarh, India
Yadav, K.; Srivastava, R.; Kumar, R.; Chinnakal, P.; Rai, S.K.; Krishnan, A.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 58(2): 133-138
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0142-6338 PMID: 21742766 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmr059Document Number: 571909
The current study was undertaken to estimate the delay in vaccination for National Immunization Schedule vaccines in under-five children and explore causes for this delay. The study was carried out in Ballabgarh Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in Northern India. It is a secondary data set-based study of children born between 1991 and 2004. Causes for delay in vaccination were explored by informal discussions. Total of 25 517 children were included in the analysis. Vaccination coverage at 1 year of age was high for all National immunization schedule vaccines (78.7% for measles to 97.4% for OPV-1). Children for delayed vaccination ranged from 15.9% (95% CI 15.4-16.3) for OPV booster to 83.5% (95% CI 83.1-83.9) for OPV-3. Non-availability of children was identified as important determinants of the delay. We conclude that focus on 'quantity' in vaccination (high vaccination coverage) needs to be supplemented with quality of vaccination (in-time vaccination).