Determinants of delayed vaccination among children under 2 years attending an immunisation clinic of a tertiary care hospital, Kolkata
Background: Immunization is one of the most effective public health measures for disease prevention and when administered timely leads to substantial reduction in child mortality and morbidity. However, timely administration of vaccines remains neglected putting the children at risk of acquiring the infections. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional, observational study, conducted in the immunization clinic of KPC Medical College and Hospital from January to March 2019 among children below the age of 2 years. The sample size was 332. The mothers were interviewed with a pre-designed and pre-tested schedule regarding socio-demographic details and records were reviewed for scheduled date of immunization and to find any delay.Results: Total 33.7% children had some delay in receiving vaccines. The delay was found to be more in mothers <20 years of age, female children, children belonging to Hindu religion, children from joint family, children belonging to class 4 SES, children where maternal education is up to primary level and children with birth order≥3. Significant association was found between vaccine delay birth and order. (p<005). Sickness of the child accounted for 41% of the delays followed by both parents working, which accounted for 25.9% of delays.Conclusions: Delay in vaccination was found in approximately one-third of children. Thus more awareness generation is required among mothers regarding the timeliness of vaccinations and risk it poses on the children making them more susceptible to diseases in the period of delay.