Poster Presentations

Session Title: VACCINE AND PREVENTION

ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE IN UNDERSERVED CHILDREN OF ALIGARH (INDIA)- AN EFFORT WITH UNICEF

M. Ansari
Community Medicine, J.N.Medical College, Aligarh, India

Background and aims: Under five children not only constitute a large group but they are vulnerable or high risk group. They may suffer from certain communicable diseases which are preventable by active immunization. routine immunization coverage remail low due to some misbliefs. During 2001-2002, 17.9 million infants were not immunized in India. The present study was carried out to find out the routine immunization coverage and to impart correct health education to the community.
Methods: This hospital and outreach session based cross sectional study was carried out by interview method. 2531 under five children and their mothers or family members were included in the population sample.
Results: In Shahjamal area, maximum number of children (86.5%) were immunized with DPT, OPV (86.5%) first doses followed by BCG (84.9%). DPT and OPV second and third doses were given in 64.5% and 54.8% respectively. Measles and DPT booster coverage was low as 39.0% and 11.4% respectively. Similarly, in Bhojpura, 99% children received DPT and OPV first doses followed by BCG (94.1%). DPT and OPV second and third doses were given in 67.7% and 47.4% children respectively. Measles and DPT booster coverage was low as 31.9% and 6.7% respectively.
Conclusions: The results reveal high coverage of DPT₁, OPV₁, BCG, DPT₂ and OPV₂ and comparatively lower coverage with DPT₃, OPV_3, measles and DPT booster in both areas. There is a need to give the correct message to the community that Universal Immunization Programme vaccines are free of side effects and safe.