Immunization coverage survey in eight regions of Saudi Arabia

A study of 1916 children in eight regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was conducted to find out the immunization coverage of the six expanded programme on immunization (EPI) target diseases. The eight regions surveyed were selected because they showed less than 80% coverage in a previous survey. The WHO cluster sampling technique was employed. The field workers were trained to conduct house-to-house surveys, inspect the children's immunization cards or health registers and complete the data forms. The overall coverage in the eight regions was found to be 97.5% for BCG, 94.3% for DPT and polio and 86.0% for measles. Altogether, 84.8% of the children had completed their immunization schedule by the end of their 1st year of life. The situation improved further in the 2nd year of life to reach 91.9%. The immunization coverage varied from region to region and from one EPI target disease to another. The partially immunized children represented 6-18% while those who did not receive any immunization represented only 0-8%. The drop-out rate between BCG and the third dose of DPT ranged from 1.9% to 9%. The factors behind the success are discussed and recommendations made for further improvement and maintenance of high immunization coverage.