Background: Despite the steadily increasing immunization coverage, the levels remain far less than desired (national average coverage <50%). Coverage Evaluation Survey (2011) in Kerala, reports 81.5% were fully immunized. The coverage in Malappuram district (Health Management Information System data 2012-2013) was 81.8%. Majority of the Vaccine Preventable Diseases are being reported from Malappuram district as per State Prevention of Epidemic and Infectious Diseases Cell data.
Objective: to assess the immunization status of the underfive children in the urban field practice area of MES Medical College and to find out the reasons for partial or non-immunization.
Methodology: A cross sectional study conducted in the field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre and collected necessary details from houses with under five children.
Results: Out of the 735 under five children, 93.6% were immunized for age, 47 were partially immunized and none were unimmunized. All had taken atleast BCG. 9 out of the 47 studied had completed the immunization recommended for the age of 12 months. None of the 47 partially immunized underfives, had taken OPV booster 2, DPT booster 2, vitamin A boosters. Only one child had taken measles 2nd booster. The most common reason for partial immunization was stated to be fear of fever following vaccination (25%) followed by reluctance of the parents in nearly another quarter of them. Illness at the time of vaccination was reported by about 15%.
Conclusion: Immunization Coverage was found to be better than that reported for Malappuram district. The easy accessibility of services in Perinthalmanna may have a role to play in this.
Key Words: immunization status, immunized for age, reasons for partial immunization.
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