Vaccination Coverage and Timeliness in South Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Fadnes Lars T, Jackson Debra, Engebretsen Ingunn MS, Zembe Wanga, Sanders David, Sommerfelt Halvor, Tylleskär Thorkild
Primary Institution: Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway
Hypothesis
How does vaccination coverage and timeliness vary across different geographical areas in South Africa?
Conclusion
Vaccination coverage and timeliness vary significantly across different areas in South Africa, with poorer regions showing lower rates.
Supporting Evidence
- Vaccination coverage was 94% in Paarl, 88% in Umlazi, and 62% in Rietvlei.
- Timeliness of vaccination was lower for vaccines given at older ages.
- The hazard ratio for incomplete vaccination was 7.2 for Rietvlei compared to Paarl.
- Most vaccinations were collected from health cards, with 98% of children having their cards checked.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many kids got their vaccines on time in different parts of South Africa, finding that kids in poorer areas got fewer vaccines.
Methodology
The study used vaccination data from a community-based cluster-randomized trial and followed 1137 children over 18 months.
Potential Biases
Some children who died during follow-up may have had different vaccination statuses compared to those who survived.
Limitations
The timing of measles vaccination data may be biased due to a missed question in the survey.
Participant Demographics
Participants included mother-infant pairs from three areas: Paarl, Umlazi, and Rietvlei, with varying socioeconomic conditions.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI for coverage rates varied by site.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website