The Impact of Second Year of Life Immunization on Childhood Routine Immunization Outcomes in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Immunization is globally considered to be the zenith of cost-effectiveness when strategies for the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of diseases, particularly infectious diseases, are assessed. Consequently, it is noted that, over the course of the past quarter century, immunization of children and adolescents has significantly reduced communicable disease morbidity and mortality, worldwide, by a margin of some forty-five percent and counting. However, though there exist several diverse initiatives, within the compendium of healthcare interventions for the protection of infants and children, immunization particularly stands out in the opportunity it provides for the on-boarding of other essential health care services, including health promotion and treatment, within the context of integration and convergence of services. In consonance, thereof, 2YL immunization provides a platform for the introduction of new vaccines, improvement of routine immunization vaccine uptake and coverage, as well as the strengthening of health systems, at subnational and national levels, through the attainment of disease control and elimination goals. The foregoing premise is contingent upon considerations of the myriad inequities such as vaccine hesitancy, non-compliance, religious beliefs, sociocultural differences, economic barriers, and lack of awareness or sensitization, bedeviling immunization in infancy in affected regions, worldwide. Thus, the concept of second year of life (2YL) immunization advocates for the vaccination of eligible children, with recommended vaccine antigens, as appropriate, with a view to increasing herd immunity, in fledging populations such as those of Bayelsa state, Nigeria, where attainment of globally recommended vaccination coverage targets have been suboptimal. This study, therefore, seeks to assess the impact of 2YL immunization on childhood routine immunization outcomes in Bayelsa state, Nigeria.