EVALUATION OF THE VACCINE COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5-YEARS-OLD IN HOUAPHAN PROVINCE, LAO PDR

Abstract

Background: Immunization plays a vital role in the lives of children by protecting them against infectious diseases. such as Measles, Polio, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, whopping cough, Tetanus etc. There are different programmes and facilities for newborn and child health under National Health Mission (NHM). However, despite these schemes and programmes, the immunization coverage rate in rural area of Lao PDR are quite low compared to urban. In this Study, we present a critical review of the various factors, schemes and research currently being undergoing in child immunization. Methods: We analyzed second-hand data were provided by the Directorate General of Health Prevention of Ministry of Health Lao PDR in 2018 childhood immunization coverage record by different vaccine, target population background characteristic, In particular, in order to preliminarily find the factors of the immunization coverage failure in rural area, Email, Group conference through what’s app Video call in-depth, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with government officials, provincial government official, healthcare workers (HCWs) , Midwife and mother. Results: The results of this study, the percentage of fully immunized children coverage in rural area increased slowly1% only from 55% in 2018 to 56% in 2019. But in urban area has increased significantly 22% from 71% in 2018 to 93% in 2019 due to the EPI Department in urban area has improved its performance at health centers and ensure that vaccines are available with proper storage and maintenance of cold chain. This high coverage in urban could be due to better health service and distance from the health center as compared to rural area, results for interview vaccine related resource supply, community participant’s knowledge about vaccination, distance from health care center factors affecting the lower community demand for immunization in rural area. Conclusion: While impressive gains have been made in reducing infant mortality and increasing immunization coverage in Lao PDR, persistent inequalities remain in rural area. International organization (WHO) and government of Lao PDR each have important roles in supporting not only vaccine purchase, but also infrastructure efforts and supervision that can achieve and sustain national immunization goals. Immunization policy needs to be national in scope. At the same time, must be flexible enough to respond to special circumstances that occur at urban and remote area.