Immunization Coverage at a Military Station.

A study was conducted at a military station from Dec 2000 to Feb 2001, to study the exact immunisation coverage for six vaccines under Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI Vaccines) and Hepatitis B vaccine and to find out unimmunized children. A house to house search was conducted and all the children below five years of age were included in the sample. Children of officers were excluded from the study. Overall 84.2% children were completely immunized for six EPI vaccines and 22.4% children were found to be immunised against Hepatitis B. The coverage for individual EPI vaccines is BCG (93%), DPT/OPV (91%), Measles (88%), DPT/OPV(B) (83%). The immunization coverage declined progressively for the vaccines given at higher ages from 93% for BCG given at birth, to 83% for DPT/OPV (B) given at 18 months of age. The immunisation coverage increased progressively with rank, being lowest in Sepoys (80.3%) and highest among Junior Commissioned Officers (97%). No statistically significant difference was found between static and field units, and the presence or absence of a Regimental Medical Officer in a unit for the immunization coverage. The study indicates that immunization coverage in the station is satisfactory, however efforts are needed to increase the vaccine coverage in the station.