Publication

Timeliness and completeness of vaccination and risk factors for low and late vaccine uptake in young children living in rural southern Tanzania.

Authored by:

Le Polain de Waroux, O., Schellenberg, J.R., Manzi, F., et al.

Full Citation:

Le Polain de Waroux, O., Schellenberg, J.R., Manzi, F., et al. 2013. Timeliness and completeness of vaccination and risk factors for low and late vaccine uptake in young children living in rural southern Tanzania.. International Health. 5(2).

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Those living farther from health facilities are less likely to be immunized, or to be immunized on time, than children living closer to health facilities.

Key Evidence: Children in Tanzania living 5 km or greater distance from the nearest healthcare facility were less likely to be immunized than children living less than 5 km from facilities. Compared to children living close a health facility, children far from a health facility had almost three times the risk of missing out on BCG, 84% higher risk of missing the third dose of DTP, and 48% higher risk of missing the first dose of measles-containing vaccine. Of children who did receive BCG, those living more than 5 km from facilities were 26% more likely to received BCG vaccine late than children close to the facility.

Children living in poverty are less likely to receive their vaccines on time, increasing their vulnerability to infections.

Key Evidence: In Tanzania, poverty was found to have a negative effect on receiving vaccines on time (at the recommended age). Children in the wealthiest quintile experienced 19% fewer delays for BCG vaccination, 23% fewer delays for the third dose of DTP vaccination, and 31% fewer delays for the first dose of measles-containing vaccine compared to children of the poorest quintile.

Studies have shown that poorer children tend to be vaccinated at lower rates than wealthier children.