Immunization coverage evaluation surveys in rural Narela zone and city zone areas of Delhi.

A major purpose of the immunization coverage evaluation surveys to document the vaccination status of children aged 1-2 years was to determine the true picture of the immunization status of the target population and to identify areas which need strengthening. Immunization coverage evaluation surveys were carried out for a 2.4 lakh rural and 2.2 lakh urban population of Delhi by the cluster sampling method. A total of 210 and 212 children, respectively aged 12 to 23 months, were included in the study in 30 randomly selected clusters in each zone. The percentage of children immunized with DPT3/OPV3/BCG was 70.0 and 73.1 in the rural and city zones, respectively while those immunized with DPT3/OPV3/BCG/Measles was only 30.0 and 37.3% in the two zones. Dropout rate for DPT and OPV, I to III was 16-18%. The drop out rate between DPT and OPV II and III was higher than that between DPT and OPV II and II. Percentage of non-immunized children was significantly higher in rural (8.0%) as compared to urban areas (2.3%). Maximum immunizations were done by the Health Centres. Done on a periodic basis, a coverage evaluation survey will show whether or not vaccination coverage objectives have been met.