Child Immunization and Vitamin A Supplementation in the District of Bankura, West Bengal

Background: District Health Authority of Bankura in the state of West Bengal desired to estimate the coverage of childhood vaccination and vitamin A prophylaxis by an independent body. To address these issues the present study was undertaken. Objectives: To estimate immunization coverage and vitamin A supplementation in 12-23 months children. Methods: A Cross sectional observational study was conducted in the district of Bankura, West Bengal among children aged between 12-23 months with sample size 320. Study variables were sex, residence, antigen-wise immunization coverage, proportion of fully immunized children, immunization drop-out rate, Vitamin-A (first dose) supplementation etc. Coverage was estimated by proportions and Chi-square (c²) was applied as a test of significance. Results: 99.0%, 94.8% and 91.4% of studied children received BCG, DPT-3/OPV-3 and Measles vaccination respectively. 80.3% of children (80.9% male and 79.7% of female) were fully immunized. The drop out rate for highest covered antigen dose (DPT1/OPV1) to lowest covered antigen dose (measles) was 8.1%. Fully immunized children were found more in rural area (81.7%) than the urban area (62.5) of the district. Difference was statistically significant. Almost 92% children received first dose of Vitamin-A. Conclusion: Immunization coverage of Bankura district was higher than that of the state and national figures. Rural coverage is better than urban.