A study on the immunisation status and the factors responsible for incomplete immunization amongst children of age group 0-12 months coming to a tertiary care hospital (IGIMS)

Abstract

Background: Vaccines are safe, simple and one of the most cost-effective way to save and improve the lives of children. The World Health Organization launched the Global Programme of Immunization in 1974 and Government of India launched the same in India on 1st January, 1978, with a view to provide protection to the children against disease and to reduce infant mortality rate.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in the immunization clinic of a tertiary care hospital (IGIMS) of Patna district. The study unit were children of age group 0 to 12 months attending the immunisation clinic of IGIMS Patna. The study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017, for a period of 12 months.Results: About 40% of children were fully immunized, about 73.3% were having immunization card.Conclusions: Immunizations is one of the biggest public health achievements of the last century, saving millions of lives and preventing illness and lifelong disability in millions more. Many childhood diseases which is now preventable by vaccines often resulted in hospitalization, death or lifelong consequences only a few decades ago. Without immunizations, serious outbreaks of many of the diseases we are now protected from can reoccur. There is a need to create awareness regarding the importance of vaccination, as well as the consequences of partial immunization, parents views must also be taken into consideration when the programme is planned, especially those with a lower educational level.