Immunisation coverage and its determinants among Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia

Area of Science:

• Global health
• Vaccinology
• Refugee health

Background:

• Population displacement impacts global vaccine-preventable disease elimination efforts.
• Immunisation coverage among Rohingya refugee children is largely unknown.
• Humanitarian emergencies pose challenges to maintaining public health programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate immunisation coverage levels among Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia.
• To identify determinants associated with immunisation status in this population.
• To inform public health strategies for refugee healthcare.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2020.
• Data were collected from guardians of 243 Rohingya refugee children.
• Participants were children sponsored by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in Malaysia.

Main Results:

• Only 2.5% of children were fully immunised; 37% were unimmunised and 60.5% partially immunised.
• Child's country of birth, age, and access to healthcare were significantly linked to unimmunisation.
• Low immunisation coverage poses a risk for disease outbreaks.

Conclusions:

• Immunisation coverage among Rohingya refugee children in Malaysia is alarmingly low.
• Targeted public health interventions, including vaccination programs, are essential for this population.
• Addressing determinants like country of birth and healthcare access is crucial for improving coverage.