Publication: Using Immunization Coverage Rates for Monitoring Health Sector Performance : Measurement and Interpretation Issues
Date
2000-08
ISSN
Published
2000-08
Author(s)
Bos, Eduard
Batson, Amie
Abstract
Immunization against childhood diseases
such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and measles is
one of the most important means of preventing childhood
morbidity and mortality. Despite the low cost of basic
childhood immunizations, nearly 3 million children still die
each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. Achieving and
maintaining high levels of immunization coverage must
therefore be a priority for all health systems. In order to
monitor progress in achieving this objective, immunization
coverage data can serve as an indicator of a health
system's capacity to deliver essential services to the
most vulnerable members of a population. This note discusses
the use of trends in immunization coverage data, and argues
that immunization is a health output with a strong impact on
child morbidity, child mortality and permanent disability.
This note discusses measurement and interpretation issues
for coverage data collected through surveys and
administrative records.
Citation
“Bos, Eduard; Batson, Amie. 2000. Using Immunization Coverage Rates for Monitoring Health Sector Performance : Measurement and Interpretation Issues. HNP discussion paper series;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/9b12feca-a48e-58e9-a63c-4d850f4cb4fe License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”