title: Timeliness and completion rate of immunization among Nigerian children attending a clinic-based immunization service.
abstract: To achieve maximal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, a child should receive all immunizations within recommended intervals. Clinic records of 512 Nigerian children were evaluated for timeliness in receiving vaccines and the completion rates of the schedule. About 30% of the children presented after four weeks of age for their first immunization; 18.9-65% of the children were delayed in receiving various vaccines compared to the recommended ages for receiving the vaccines. Only 227 (44.3%) children were fully immunized. Health education and mass mobilization of the community and health workers are recommended to improve the uptake of vaccines and to encourage timely receipt of vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. ayebosadoh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ayebo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sadoh
authors.forename: Charles O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Eregie
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009549:Nigeria; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013995:Time