Vaccination default rates among children attending a static immunization clinic in Benin City, Nigeria

Immunization coverage among infants in Nigeria continues to be low despite availability of effective vaccines and accessibility of immunization clinics in urban areas. This study was conducted to determine the vaccination default rate and vaccine schedule that is most frequently defaulted. It also documented reasons for the defaults and suggested ways of minimising them. The immunization status of 174 children aged 9-11 months were determined by interviewing mothers regarding their children's immunization histories. Each child's immunization card was subsequently reviewed for confirmation. Overall default rate for the entire recommended series of vaccines was 26.7%. Measles vaccine was the most frequently defaulted. The commonest reason given by respondent mothers for defaulting immunization clinic appointments was the child's ill-health (37.5% of all cases). Immunization clinic appointment default rate is still high in Benin City, with measles vaccine being the most frequently defaulted. We therefore suggest ways of minimising vaccination clinic appointment defaults.