New York City's 1993 child immunization day: planning, costs, and results

This study evaluates New York City's Child Immunization Day (1993), with emphasis on the cost and effects of a mass campaign and the use of strategies from developing nations in an inner-city context.

The methodology was designed to (1) document the planning and implementation process, (2) analyze the number and characteristics of children in the target group, and (3) estimate costs.

Neither the social mobilization nor the political will that characterize successful campaigns in developing nations occurred in New York City's campaign. Despite substantial time and effort from both private and public agencies, turnout for the event was low. In total, 2647 families and 5237 children were assessed for health care and insurance needs, 2949 children were immunized at a cost of about $279 per immunized child, and 7236 vaccines were administered.

The differences between inner cities and developing nations have a bearing on strategies used in planning and implementing mass campaigns. New strategies need to be forged from a blending of these contexts to create effective campaigns in industrialized inner cities.