IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE AND IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH VACCINATION DELIVERY IN GONDAR, NORTH-WEST ETHIOPIA

A cluster sample survey using the Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) methodology was conducted in April 1995 in Gondar town and surro unding villages in north west Ethiopia to assess immunisation coverage in the area and problems associated with vaccination delivery. Two hu ndred and thirteen children aged 12-24 months were enrolled into the s tudy from the chosen thirty clusters, Among the sampled children, 101 (47.4%) were fully immunised while 64(30%) were not immunised at all, Only 38% of the mothers had received tetanus toroid vaccination more t han once, Reasons given for not immunising a child were lack of knowle dge (39.8%), social problems (38.7%) and various obstacles (22.8%), su ch as child sickness and health institution related problems, A strate gy of strengthening of health education, primary health care and exten sion of the eligibility criteria are suggested as solutions to improve coverage.