Role of catch-up campaigns in improving immunization services in a developing country

Abstract

Background: Bellary district of India had highest number of Polio cases in the world during the year 2003. This is mainly because of low level of routine immunization coverage. Successful implementation of supplementary immunization activities interrupted Polio transmission in 2003. It is important to sustain the gains made in polio immunization as well as make attempts to improve the immunization coverage against other vaccine preventable diseases. We wanted to look at the immunization coverage rates before and after the catch up campaigns to strengthen routine immunization services in this high-risk district. Aims: Our objective was to evaluate the impact of catch up campaign through estimation of immunization coverage after conclusion of catch-up campaigns in the district of Bellary. Settings and Design: The evaluation data is from a cross sectional study done in Bellary district, India by following multi stage and systematic random sampling. Materials and Methods: The study was done in three stages; In stage one, the district specific DLHS data was analyzed. In stage two; systemic issues were identified by going through immunization registers, records and identified key reasons for low vaccination coverage. In stage three, immediately after catch up immunization sessions, the coverage rates were captured using simple random sampling, and compared with DLHS data. Statistical Analysis: Data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 17.0 (Rel. 11.0.1 2001-SPSS Inc), R 2.11, Microsoft Excel (MS office, Version 2007, Microsoft Corporation, USA). Results: The results demonstrate that the coverage for all antigens improved due to the conduct of catch-up campaigns. Conclusions: This study compares estimates of the age-specific population immunization coverage against BCG, OPV, DPT, TT, and Measles before and after the catch up campaigns. Catch-up sessions help to address systemic issues related to routine immunization, and sustain high immunization coverage in developing countries like India.