Status of Immunization Coverage among Preschool Children in an Area of South Delhi, New Delhi, India

ABSTRACT

Background: High levels of immunization coverage in children can ensure the control of vaccine - preventable diseases, and there are various factors that can affect preschool immunization. Studies that focus on vaccination coverage in various populations are crucial for identifying the vaccination status of a given community and for strategizing the national programs. This study assessed the vaccination coverage in preschool children living in a resettlement colo ny in an area of New Delhi. Methods: This community - based cross - sectional study was conducted in JJ Colony, Madanpur Khadar Extension of South Delhi, New Delhi between October 2008 to January 2009, in 100 preschool children between 24 – 47 months of age, w ith equal number in both genders. No significant association of the vaccination status with factors like gender of the children, educational, or socio - economic condition, was found in this study. Results: Out of a total of 100 children studied, forty - four children (44%) were fully vaccinated, forty - nine children (49%) were partially immunised, and seven children (7%) were not vaccinated. Vaccines for diphtheria - tetanus - pertussis (DPT - I) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV - I) had the maximum coverage (92%) whil e DPT Booster and OPV Booster had the lowest (44%). Conclusion: Future possibilities and potential for evaluating vaccination coverage should be explored in vulnerable areas like resettlement colonies, in migrant populations and in urban poor sections of s ociety to get estimates on the gap in vaccination coverage in such areas.