Immunization coverage rates for regions of Uttar Pradesh

Immunization against common childhood diseases has been an integral component of mother and child health services in India since adoption of the primary health care approach in 1978 being reinforced by the Declaration of Health Policy in 1983. The focus of this paper was to examine the dropout rates in Polio and DPT vaccines status and its determinants in regions of Uttar Pradesh. Data sources on immunization coverage used for this study include secondary data from RCH-3 Surveys in U.P. The analyses reveal that a large number of children in different socio-economic contexts are missed out of subsequent services. There are dropouts of the vaccines due to non availability of services providers. Almost every other child in U.P was incompletely protected from full immunization and one out every of three children was a dropout from the immunization programme. Revitalize and strengthen routine immunization services with particular reference to urban areas, Muslims, illiterate parents, populations residing in the plains, and population groups or areas hitherto not reached. The paper recommends ensuring regular immunization services on a fixed day and fixed place basis and addressing poor utilization of immunization services, lack of awareness or motivation, through professionally–designed behavior change communication interventions.