Factors Impacting India’s Immunization Rates: Identification of Factors Affecting Left Out Rate and Drop Out Rate for DPT II and DPT III

Abstract

Immunization serves as one of the best methods towards reducing infant mortality rates by lowering susceptibility to certain diseases. However, heterogeneity of vaccination coverage in neighboring areas inhibits eradication of targeted infections. This paper focuses on the disparate immunization rates among the states in India for populations receiving no vaccinations and populations with Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus vaccines II (DPT) but not DPT III. Stepwise regression identified categories of variables that influence both no vaccination and partial vaccination for DPT. Statistical analysis reveals the quality of Primary Health Centers (PHC) as the strongest predictor for infants with no shots and Maternal Fertility Characteristics as the strongest predictor for the drop out between DPT II and DPT III. Based on these results, this paper recommends that the government of India concentrate on improving PHCs and implementing a rigorous family planning campaign. By doing so, India may be able to increase its immunization coverage.