Evaluation of the opportunities for and contraindications to immunization in a tropical paediatric clinic.

The immunization status and frequency of contraindications to immunization were studied in 446 children attending the paediatric clinic of a teaching hospital in south India. In all, 27% of the children were up to date in their immunizations, 19% had a contraindication, and 57% required and could safely be given immunizations. A policy of offering immunizations in paediatric clinics to all who require them and who do not have a contraindication would result in protection of a significant number of unimmunized children.