Quality of Routine Immunization Services: Trends in some Districts of West Bengal

Abstract

Routine Immunization remains the cornerstone in child survival initiative throughout the globe. Since launching of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 1978 in India during last four decades immunization activities have been evolving, keeping pace with the relentless progress in the field of science of vaccinology. Routine Immunization has been embedded in the reproductive & child health program (RCH).West Bengal has been one of the better performing states of the country in terms of major RCH indicators like Infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, under five mortality rate, coverage of routine immunization etc. Independent assessments done in National Family Health Survey, District Level Household Survey or Coverage Evaluation Survey provide periodic assessment of reach & to some extent quality of services in the country.