Ineffective vaccination coverage linked to inadequate cold chain management practices in routine childhood immunization program in Narok County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261741Keywords:
Effective vaccination coverage, Cold chain management, Immunity, SerosurveillanceAbstract
Background: Poor cold chain management contributes to ineffective vaccinations. Ineffective vaccinations pose a risk of occurrence of vaccine preventable diseases. The study assessed the effective vaccination coverage of measles, tetani toxoid and hepatitis B in relation to the status of cold chain management practices
Methods: This was a cross sectional serosurveillance study of 378 vaccinated children using indirect Elisa IgG antibody testing of measles, tetani toxoid and hepatitis B vaccine. It also assessed the status of cold chain management practices in all the 91 public immunizing health facilities in Narok County, Kenya.
Results: The measles effective vaccination coverage was 62.2% (235/378). The tetani toxoid effective vaccination coverage was 70.6% (267/378). The effective vaccination coverage of hepatitis B was 299 79.1% (299/378). The proportion of Children who were effectively vaccinated against measles was 70.5% (31/44) in level 2 health facilities, 72.2% (104/144%) in level 3 health facilities, 85% (85/100) in level 4 facilities and 75% (9/12) in level 5 health facilities. The observed condition of the cold chain system was inadequate in 25 (48%) level 2, 6 (18.2%) level 3 and 20% of level 4 facilities. Up to date operational plan was available in 30 (57.7%) level 2, 25 (75.8%) in level 3, 4 (80%) in level 4 facilities. Vaccine supply and quality were inadequate in 43 (47.3%) health facilities. Immunization service delivery charter was partially implemented in 53 (58.2%) health facilities.
Conclusions: Inadequacies in cold chain management practices has contributed towards ineffective vaccination of children aged 12-23 months in Narok County, Kenya.
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