title: Daily immunization services: A moral duty, not an empty slogan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunization services in Armed Forces hospitals are provided once or twice a week leading to children missing important vaccines. Vaccines offered are restricted to vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). This system is inadequate to meet the challenge of providing 100% immunization to children in a station. Two large service hospitals were selected for provision of daily immunizations under the 'CHOICE' banner (Comprehensive child Healthcare, OPD services and Immunization Clinic Everyday), which was conducted under the supervision of the Pediatrician. The immunization delivery before and after institution of the daily immunization program was compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study compares the vaccine delivery rate of two systems, namely a restricted approach providing UIP vaccines on a weekly basis and a comprehensive approach providing both UIP as well as optional vaccines on a daily basis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in attendance at the immunization clinic, which was progressive over the years with the comprehensive approach. The delivery rates of all vaccines increased, in particular the combination vaccines. The workload per immunization session showed a concomitant decrease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily immunization is a better method of vaccine delivery to children, leading to a marked increase in attendance at the immunization clinic and utilization of hospital services.
authors.affiliation: Senior Consultant and Head, Dept of Pediatrics, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Consultant (Neonatology), Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Holla
authors.affiliation: Assoc Prof, Dept of Pediatrics, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 40, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Assoc Prof, Dept of Pediatrics, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 40, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Devgan
keywords: Comprehensive child Healthcare OPD services and Immunization Clinic Everyday (CHOICE); Immunization; Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)