Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatal Care A Hospital Based Study of Assessment of Missed Opportunities of Immunization in Children Aged Less Than Two Years Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Abbreviations: MOI: Missed Opportunities Of Immunization; WHO: World Health Organization; GOI: Government Of India; EPI: Expanded Program on Immunization; OPD: Out Patient Department; IUD: Immunized Up To Date; PIN: Partially Immunized Not Up To Date; IU: Unimmunized; HHE: Hypotensive Hypo Responsive Episodes; IAP: Indian Academy of Pediatrics; OR: Odd Ratio Introduction Immunizing children in the first years of life is one of the most effective ways to improve the health of a community and to decrease the costs associated with treating vaccine-preventable diseases. Even today the vaccine preventable diseases continue to take a high toll in the form of childhood mortality in spite of the fact that a readily available feasible and free of cost simple intervention of immunization exists in all the healthcare facilities across the country. In absolute figures India contributes to about 25% of the over 10.6 million under five deaths occurring worldwide every year. Most of these deaths are still attributable to just a handful of conditions are avoidable through existing interventions [1]. According to GOI report, EPI has achieved very high coverage in India reported to have touched 90% of target children. (63% fully immunized and 27% partially immunized) Non immunization was more frequent in the rural areas, schedule tribes and illiterate mothers of the state of Bihar, Rajasthan, UP and MP account for over two third of non immunized population [2]. In the state of Rajasthan only 40% children are fully immunized, 33% partially immunized and 20% completely unimmunized. The situation is grimmer in our western desert part of the state; therefore it is essential to screen every child for immunization status at every visit to a clinic and should advise necessary immunization at every opportunity unless any true contraindications exist for the same. But many children visiting health facilities are partially Volume 6 Issue 5 - 2017 1 Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Dr. S. N. Medical College, India 2 Consultant Pediatrician, Max Hospital, India 3 Ex-Professor, Department of Pediatric Medicine, Dr. S. N. Medical College, India *Corresponding author: Suresh Kumar Verma, Department Of Pediatrics, Umaid Hospital Campus, India, Tel: +91- 9460550815; Email: Received: March 29, 2017 | Published: May 04, 2017 Research Article J Pediatr Neonatal Care 2017, 6(5): 00261 Abstract Background: Immunization is the most cost effective ways to improve the health of a community and to avert vaccine-preventable diseases associated morbidity and mortality in children. The immunization status of young children of Western Rajasthan is not up to the mark despite of all the efforts and Missed opportunities of immunization is one of the important contributing factors. The present study is aimed to know prevalence of missed opportunities of immunization in children and the reasons for the same at our centre. Methods: Immunization status was assessed via interview method using standard protocols recommended by the WHO, for a total of 600 children aged less than two years (200 indoor and 400 outdoor patients) picked up through a table of random numbers. The children who had missed an immunization opportunity were compared with those who had not, for socio-demographic variables and reasons for missed opportunity were determined. Results: 48.5% of the children were immunized up to date, 33.82% were partially immunized not up to date and 15.17% were completely un-immunized. The status of 2.5% children could not be assessed and were excluded from the study. 45.64% of children had missed an opportunity for immunization. Illiteracy, higher birth order, rural residence, poor socioeconomic status emerged as the risk factors. Immunization status not assessed during health visit in 82.39%, lack of knowledge of the parents regarding immunization schedule in 79.40% and false contraindications (mild acute illness in 21%, current antimicrobial therapy in 8.22%, convalescent phase of illness in 7.86%, recent exposure to infectious disease in 5.24%, fever precipitating seizures in 1.12%, pre-maturity 0.74% in that order) were the main causes. Conclusions: Immunization is an important but yet neglected part of child health visits. Each child’s immunization status should be assessed at every health care visit to avoid missed opportunities Keywords: Missed Opportunity; Immunization; Vaccine preventable diseases