Influencing factors on vaccination uptake in Pakistan

This article describes immunisation of children under 5 years among different regional and socio-economic population groups in Pakistan. It also gives insights on the health facilities used for immunisation and the reasons for not vaccinating the children. Furthermore, it discusses other factors that influence vaccination rates. The analyses are based on household economic survey data for 1998-89, 2001-02 and 2005-06. In these years, Pakistan Standard of Living Measurement (PSLM) survey has been carried out along with the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) which included social as well as economic indicators related to households. The HIES was conducted as sub-sample of PSLM and provided data on household income, consumption expenditure and consumption pattern at national and provincial level with urban/rural breakdown. The empirical findings showed that mobile immunisation teams (MIT) are of major importance for the vaccination rate in three aspects; Firstly, MIT increase the awareness of diseases and the need and ability to protect against them. Secondly, MIT inform parents about possibilities and positive impacts of vaccination and reduce the fear of negative impacts through detailed information. Thirdly, MIT establish the lack of availability of health care providers especially in rural areas.