Reasons for nonimmunization of children in north India identified.(Brief Article)

2002 OCT 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers have identified several factors contributing to lack of immunization in low income children in New Delhi, India.

Of 500 children under age 5, "[o]nly 25% were found to have received complete primary immunization as per the National Immunization Schedule (bacille Calmette-Guerin at birth, three doses of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus and oral poliovirus vaccine at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and measles vaccine at 9 months)," reported J.L. Mathew and colleagues.

They listed the following reasons for nonimmunization in the study cohort:

* migration to a native village (26.4%);

* domestic problems (9.6%);

* the immunization center was located too far from their home (9.6%); and

* the child was unwell when the vaccination was due (9%).