title: Monitoring coverage of fully immunized children.
abstract: Immunization programs monitor 3rd dose of DPT-containing vaccine coverage as a principal indicator; however, this does not inform about coverage with other vaccines. A mini-survey was conducted to assess the status of monitoring coverage of fully immunized children (FIC) in Eastern and Southern African countries. We designed and distributed a structured self-administered questionnaire to all 19 national program managers attending a meeting in March 2014 in Harare, Zimbabwe. We learned that most countries already monitor FIC coverage and managers appreciate the importance of monitoring this as a national indicator, as it aligns with the full benefits of immunization. This mini-survey concluded that at national level, FIC coverage could be used as a principal indicator; however, at global level DPT3 has some additional advantages across all countries in standardizing the capacity of the immunization program to deliver multiple doses of the same vaccine to all children by 12 months of age.
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), 1776 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 300, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA. Electronic address: atsega@jsi.com.
authors.forename: Asnakew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsega
authors.affiliation: WHO Inter-country Support Team (IST) for Eastern and Southern African Sub Region, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Fussum
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), 1776 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 300, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steinglass
mesh_terms: D000351:Africa, Eastern; D000353:Africa, Southern; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D007223:Infant; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Fully immunized child; Immunization; National/global immunization/vaccination indicator; Vaccination