Missed opportunities for vaccination in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe 1995: a service deficiency which can easily be eliminated.

OBJECTIVES

Missed opportunities for vaccination occur when a child or woman who is eligible for a vaccination visits a health facility but fails to receive that vaccination. Our study attempted to determine the extent and reasons for missed opportunities occurring in an urban setting in Zimbabwe.

DESIGN

This study was carried out using the standard WHO EPI protocol for ascertaining missed opportunities for vaccination.

SETTING

All four health clinics in Chitungwiza City.

SUBJECTS

All appropriate clients (children < 2 years and women of childbearing age) exiting each facility.

RESULTS

The study revealed a global missed opportunity rate of six pc for children and 55pc for women of childbearing age. Missed opportunities occurred more frequently when children attended curative services and when women of childbearing age attended preventive services.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaccination services can be improved by making all vaccines available and by screening children and women at all contacts with health services. Additionally, all women should receive and be encouraged to carry a tetanus toxoid vaccination card when visiting a health facility. In all cases, a vial of vaccine should be opened even if only one child or woman is eligible for vaccination, in accordance with Ministry of Health policy.