Timing of zero dose of OPV, first dose of hepatitis B and BCG vaccines.

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has been recommending Hepatitis B vaccination for infants since 1992. This community based cross sectional study carried out in the rural and urban areas of Tamil Nadu found no significant rural urban difference in the proportions of children who had received BCG in 3 days/7 days and OPV-zero dose in 3 days/7 days after birth. The proportion of children who had received first dose of Hepatitis B in 3 days was significantly lower than those who had received BCG and OPV within 3 days after birth. The proportion of children who had received Hepatitis B on the day of birth was significantly lower in the rural area than in the urban area.