Study of coverage and barriers of immunisation among children of age 12–23 months in urban areas of Rishikesh

Abstract

Background: Ensuring high immunisation coverage and its acceptance among the beneficiaries are crucial for a healthy society. Hence, this study aimed to estimate vaccine coverage and barriers of immunisation among children of age 12–23 months in urban areas of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Aims: To estimate the immunization coverage rate among children of age 12-23 months in urban area of Rishikesh. Objectives: To identify the barriers towards immunization in children of age 12-23 months in urban area of Rishikesh. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done in urban areas of Rishikesh for 1 year, including 210 children, using the WHO's 30 × 7 cluster sampling technique to collect data on immunisation status. Results: About 92% of the children were fully immunised. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin has the highest coverage rate (99.5%), whereas the coverage was the lowest for the measles vaccine (93.8%). Full immunisation coverage was found to be statistically significant with the education of the respondent, socio-economic status (SES) of the family and birth order of the child. Additional vaccines uptake showed a significant association between SES of the family and the place of vaccination. Conclusion: There were significant variations in childhood immunisation coverage across socio-economic and demographic factors. These findings emphasize on the need for regular monitoring and evaluation of immunisation coverage to achieve the benefits of vaccination in all strata of society.