Publication:

Ineffective vaccination coverage linked to inadequate cold chain management practices in routine childhood immunization program in Narok County, Kenya

Background Poor cold chain management contributes to ineffective vaccinations. Ineffective vaccinations pose a risk of occurrence of vaccine preventable diseases. The study assessed the effective vaccination coverage of measles, tetani toxoid and hepatitis B in relation to the status of cold chain management practices

Methods This was a cross sectional serosurveillance study of 378 vaccinated children using indirect Elisa IgG antibody testing of measles, tetani toxoid and hepatitis B vaccine. It also assessed the status of cold chain management practices in all the 91 public immunizing health facilities in Narok County, Kenya.

Results The measles effective vaccination coverage was 62.2% (235/378). The tetani toxoid effective vaccination coverage was 70.6% (267/378). The effective vaccination coverage of hepatitis B was 299 79.1% (299/378). The proportion of Children who were effectively vaccinated against measles was 70.5% (31/44) in level 2 health facilities, 72.2% (104/144%) in level 3 health facilities, 85% (85/100) in level 4 facilities and 75% (9/12) in level 5 health facilities. The observed condition of the cold chain system was inadequate in 25 (48%) level 2, 6 (18.2%) level 3 and 20% of level 4 facilities. Up to date operational plan was available in 30 (57.7%) level 2, 25 (75.8%) in level 3, 4 (80%) in level 4 facilities. Vaccine supply and quality were inadequate in 43 (47.3%) health facilities. Immunization service delivery charter was partially implemented in 53 (58.2%) health facilities.

Conclusions Inadequacies in cold chain management practices has contributed towards ineffective vaccination of children aged 12-23 months in Narok County, Kenya.