Universal Immunization Programme In Lower Parel, Bombay - Achievements, Obstacles & Failures

Abstract

One of the best and most effective methods for child survival is immunization. The morbidity and mortality due to the six killer diseases is more in slums. Therefore, a slum area in Lower Parel in Bombay with 49,836 population was selected and an immunization programme was launched in the 60 chawls, hutments and pavement dwellings on 4 may, 1987. The pre-intervention and post-intervention coverage was noted. For primary immunization, the coverage increased from 75% to 90%. For measles the coverage increased from 23% to 58% for Booster-I (QPV/DPT) from 37% to 61% and for Booster-II from 31% to 69%. There were may obstacles, the chief amongst them being shortage of Para-medical workers. Community parti-cipation and voluntary agencies can give considerable help to the immunization programme.