Delay for pentavalent vaccine: a hospital based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Young children are often at increased risk for illness and death related to infectious diseases, and vaccine delays may leave them vulnerable at ages with a high risk of contracting several vaccine-preventable diseases This study examined delay for each pentavalent vaccine in the universal immunization programme and the factors that influence untimely vaccinations.Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study done on 45 days to-12 months aged children attending the immunisation clinic held at government medical college and hospital Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Data was collected from the records on health card as well from mother with the help of pretested pre-structured questionnaire for predictors of delay.Results: Total 411 children aging 45 days to 12 months were enrolled in the study. For pentavalent 1 vaccine, 83.69% received vaccine without delay and 16.31% were delayed. 43.53% were delayed for pentavalent 2 vaccine, 224 children received pentavalent 3 vaccine, out of them 80.35% received within time whereas 19.65% were delayed. We found birth order, parent’s education, working status of mother, mother’s age below 18; parity had statistically significant association with delay. Unawareness about the right timings of vaccination and immunization schedules held at periphery, parents delaying vaccine for minor sickness of baby, were the main reasons observed for delay.Conclusions: A total 83.69% children received vaccine within the recommended time. Still 16.31% children experience delay for the vaccination. Reasons for delay observed can be overcome by appropriate counselling of mother by health care workers at the first time of vaccination which will improve the adherence and avoid delay in future to immunisation schedule.

Determinants of factors affecting vaccination status of under-five children attending immunoprophylaxis clinic in a tertiary care hospital in central India

“…8 Timely vaccination also causes a big reduction in childhood mortality and morbidity and also a crucial indicator of Immunization programme performance. 2,6 Although vaccines are provided free of cost in the Government health centres in India, the immunization coverage in India with children age 12-23 months fully immunized (BCG, measles, and three doses each of polio and DPT) is 62.0% consistent with NFHS-4 data. 4,9 There are number of reasons for delayed vaccination like unawareness, fear of side-effects, education of caregivers and recently COVID-19 pandemic etc.…”

“…5 Timely vaccination is defined as administration of vaccine doses at a schedule which is suggested by India's National Immunization schedule. 6 The timeliness of vaccination is important to produce appropriate levels of antibody at right time to prevent vaccine preventable diseases (VPD's). 7 Ex: Some diseases like pertussis, hemophilus influenza infections occur with increased frequency if immunization is delayed.…”

“…Understanding the multidimensional determinants of delays in vaccination is crucial in improving routine immunization. 6 Considering this fact, this study was undertaken at an Immunoprophylaxis clinic (IPC) with objective of to review factors influencing timeliness of vaccination and to assess reasons for its delay if any. 4,8…”