IJCM_225A: Assessment of factors influencing measles vaccine uptake in a metropolitan city: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Globally, measles deaths were estimated to be over 1,28,000 in the year 2021, despite the easy availability of safe and effective vaccines to prevent the infection. Routine childhood immunization coverage rates dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic and India has been one of the worst affected countries. The most recent measles outbreak was reported last year in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Objectives: 1. To estimate the level of uptake of measles vaccine in children aged 12 months to 5 years 2. To determine the factors associated with the uptake of measles vaccine. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months in a municipal ward of Mumbai during Oct-Nov 2023 in mothers with children aged 12 to 60 months, living in the area for at least past 6 months. Five out of fifteen clusters of Municipal Health Post areas were selected randomly & from each, 82 eligible households were chosen randomly for door-to-door interviews with the participants. Results: Among the sample of 428 children, measles vaccine coverage was 96.7%, but only 263 (61.45%) children were vaccinated in timely manner. The facilitator for mothers in vaccine uptake was receiving information from healthcare workers during and after pregnancy (77.57%). The barriers were lack of information about vaccination schedule (18.69%), and child being unwell during vaccination (10.74%). Conclusion: Huge efforts have been taken by the Public Health Department for achieving this level of vaccine coverage, however, measles elimination is still a challenge due to delayed vaccination.