A Review of Target Population Estimates and Implied Infant Mortality Rates from National Immunization Programmes During 2000-2010

David W Brown

doi:10.2174/1874944501306010006

Abstract

Because complete vital registration data often do not exist, immunization programme managers must estimate the number of children in the target population for computing immunization coverage, an important measure used to monitor immunization programme performance. This report presents information on the estimated number of live births and of surviving infants for the years 2000 - 2010 received by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) from national immunization programmes (data received as of July 2011) and the implied in- fant mortality rate (IMR) according to national immunization programme estimates. This information is compared to ex- ternal sources. The results highlight potential challenges confronted by immunization programme managers in reporting target population estimates at the national level and shows that the estimated number of live births and surviving infants submitted to WHO and UNICEF in the Joint Reporting Form for Immunization are inconsistent with estimates from the United Nations Population Division and implied infant mortality levels are inconsistent with estimates from external sources.

Highlights

As a matter of practice, immunization programme managers routinely monitor the number of children that are immunized
This review highlights potential challenges confronted by immunization programme managers in reporting target population estimates at the national level
The estimated number of live births and surviving infants submitted to World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Joint Reporting Form for Immunization were inconsistent with estimates from the United Nations Population Division

Summary

Introduction

As a matter of practice, immunization programme managers routinely monitor the number of children that are immunized. They must estimate the target population size when planning services, managing stocks and supplies and targeting interventions. An estimate of the target population is necessary for computing immunization coverage, an important measure used to monitor immunization programme performance. Population projections are complex computations [4] that often make use of estimates of fertility and mortality in conjunction with the number of women of reproductive age to obtain estimates of the number of births.

Methods

Results

Conclusion