Assessing Pattern of Immunization Uptake among Inhabitants of Two Metropolitan Communities in Lagos State, Nigeria

Introduction: Vaccines remain one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions ever made. Studies have shown that the global use of vaccines saves over 2-3 million lives each year. It also prevents untold suffering and lifetime disability in millions of people. Methods: A structure questionnaire used in data collection included questions on state of origin, exposure the oral polio vaccine from routine immunization and the last 2 rounds of Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) as well as reasons for absence of immunization where found. In addition, the child's routine vaccination status was obtained from the vaccination card (where available) or by maternal history Results: Twenty-four (24) percent of the children surveyed were within the routine immunization age range of 0-11 months. Another 23% and 15% were those aged 48-60 and 36-47 months old respectively. High zero dose children in RI (37%) and SIA (27%) indicating weak immunization coverage were recorded. The overall uptake of immunization among children who received ≥ 3 doses of vaccine is 50% and 32% for routine and supplemental immunization respectively. In all, 46% of Routine Immunization (RI) and 18% of SIA respondents did not receive the vaccine due to religious reasons Conclusion: Routine and supplemental immunization utilization in these communities is suboptimal, religious, child absent and no felt need were the major reasons identified for the suboptimal performance.