Immunization status of children in the newly carved states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in India

Abstract

Background: In 2013, an estimated 21.8 million infants worldwide were not reached with routine immunization services, of whom nearly half live in 3 countries: India, Nigeria and Pakistan. In June 2014, state of Andhra Pradesh has been divided into two new states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Both the new states will face the challenges of new born states in the coming years. India’s progress on the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) for 2015 requires that the new states overcome the challenges effectively. An attempt is made to analyze the available data in the field of child immunization which can serve as a baseline to monitor the progress in the field in the newly carved sates. Objectives: To study the status of immunization of children in the newly carved state of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Methods: Secondary data published in the District Level Household and Facility Survey-4 is analyzed. Results: Compared to DLHS-3 (2007-08), in the state of New Telangana, 9 out of the 10 districts had fall in proportion of fully immunised children. In the state of AP, 9 out of 13 districts had a fall in the proportion of fully immunised children. Conclusions: The reasons for the steep fall in immunisations can go beyond the reasons for low coverage and could be territory specific. Since Immunization is an eternal event it requires a strong monitoring system to identify and take timely measures to fix the issues at all levels.