Immunization Status Among Children Under 23 Months of Age

Abstract

Objective: To find out the immunization status against vaccine preventable diseases, timeliness
of vaccination according to EPI schedule and availability of EPI card among children aged 0-23
months residing in Jallo village district Lahore.
Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in village Jallo,
District Lahore, having a population of 8061. 331 children aged 0-23 months of the area were
included in the study. Data was collected by interviewing the mothers of selected children. Data
was entered and analyzed using Epi Info. Frequency distribution with percentages were
calculated.
Results: Out of total 331 children, 63.4% were fully immunized, 30.5% were partially immunized
while 6.1% were not immunized. A child was considered as fully immunized if he/she was
vaccinated as per EPI schedule according to his/her age. Only 6.2% were vaccinated according
to the EPI schedule and vaccination card was available with 89% .
Conclusion: Findings of this small scale study revealed that only 63.4% children were fully
immunized which was much less than target of 80%. (EPI objective was to achieve 90%
immunization coverage with at least 80% in every district by 2010). Parents must be motivated to
get their children completely vaccinated in a timely manner according to the recommended
schedule.