A Study on Factors Determining Penetration of Optional Paediatric Vaccines in Urban India

This research was undertaken to determine the penetration of Optional Vaccines in Urban India and the factors thereof. The research survey was carried out in 148 mothers (208 Children) belonging to Socioeconomic Class A&B through a face to face interview in an upmarket locality of Gurgaon. The awareness levels for Hepatitis A and Chickenpox was at 100% of the respondents surveyed whereas the awareness dropped to 64.3% for Rotavirus and 60.8% for Pneumococcal Meningitis. The coverage of Chickenpox and Hepatitis A vaccine was the highest in all the 3 age groups of children (1–2 years, 3–5 yrs. and >6 yrs.). The coverage of Pneumococcal Vaccine increased as the age increased whereas the coverage for Rotavirus reduced as the age group increased.

Affordability and Availability are not the barriers to penetration of optional vaccines in Urban India. The main influencer is the recommendation of the Paediatrician for vaccination.