Immunization coverage among children born between 1989 and 1994 in Saladdin Governorate, Iraq.

We assessed vaccination coverage rates among children born between 1989 and 1994 (0-2 years of age) and tried to find the underlying causes of incomplete immunization. Of 662 children surveyed, 326 were from Tikrit city (urban) and 336 were from three rural villages. The coverage rates for BCG, DPT-OPV (first dose), DPT-OPV (second dose), DPT-OPV (third dose), measles, MMR, and DPT-OPV (first booster) were 97%, 97%, 94%, 92%, 83%, 70% and 59% respectively in Tikrit city; in rural areas they were 92%, 65%, 57%, 41%, 42%, 32%, and 25% respectively. The most common causes of incomplete immunization were unawareness and ignorance for both urban and rural areas. The percentage of children completely immunized declined between 1989 and 1994, both in urban and rural areas.