Vaccine non-receipt and refusal in Ethiopia: The expanded program on immunization coverage survey, 2012

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Health

Background:

• Childhood immunization coverage in Ethiopia falls significantly short of the World Health Organization's 90% target for 2020.
• Understanding barriers to vaccination is crucial for improving public health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and healthcare service utilization with experiences of not receiving a vaccine in Ethiopia.
• To identify key predictors influencing childhood vaccination status.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from Ethiopia's 2012 Expanded Program on Immunization Coverage Survey.
• Utilized Rao-Scott chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to assess relationships between variables and vaccination experiences.
• Examined data from 2,722 children's caregivers.

Main Results:

• 2.9% of caregivers refused vaccination, 3.6% decided not to take their child for vaccination, and 12.0% experienced unmet vaccination needs at facilities.
• Region, possession of a vaccination card, and the setting of the last routine vaccination were significant predictors.
• Negative perceptions of vaccines were a cited reason for refusal or non-attendance.

Conclusions:

• Prior experiences with health facilities significantly influence future vaccination decisions.
• Vaccine perceptions and access barriers, such as reliance on outreach events, affect vaccination uptake.
• Findings can inform targeted interventions to enhance childhood vaccination rates in Ethiopia.