Complete and on-time routine childhood immunisation: determinants and association with severe morbidity in urban informal settlements, Nairobi, Kenya. (17th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mutua, Martin K.; Mohamed, Shukri F.; Kimani-Murage, Elizabeth W.; Kiarie, Lucy; Janusz, Cara Bess; Aaby, Peter; Fisker, Ane B.; Echoka, Elizabeth; Ravn, Henrik
• Is Part Of: Annals of human biology. Volume 47:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 132
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2020-02-17
• Subjects: Health and Demographic Surveillance System -- fully immunised child -- vaccination delays -- childhood mortality -- longitudinal study -- non-specific effects of vaccines -- urban slums Kenya; Human biology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2020.1725121
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4460

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Completion of the full series of childhood vaccines on-time is crucial to ensuring greater protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Aim: To examine determinants of complete and on-time vaccination and evaluate the relationship between vaccination patterns and severe morbidity outcomes. Subjects and methods: Vaccination information from infants in Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System was used to evaluate full and on-time vaccination coverage of routine immunisation. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of full and on-time vaccination coverage. Cox regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between vaccination status and subsequent severe morbidity. A shared frailty cox model was fitted to account for the heterogeneity in hospitalisation episodes. Results: Maternal age, post-natal care, parity, ethnicity, and residence place were identified as determinants of vaccination completion. Institutional deliveries and residence place were identified as the determinants of on-time vaccination. A significant 58% (confidence interval [CI]: 15–79%) ( p = .017) lower mortality was observed among fully immunised children compared with not fully immunised. Lower mortality was observed among on-time immunised children, 64% (CI: 20–84%) compared to those with delays. Conclusions: Improving vaccination timeliness and completion schedule is critical for protection against vaccine preventable diseases and may potentially provide protection beyond these targets.