Immunization Coverage and Adverse Events Following Vaccination: A Retrospective Cohorts Study

Authors

  • Nneka Modester Atuchi Department of Public Health University of Sunderland United Kingdom
  • Dr Ogbuyeme Oti Jennifer Ngozika Department of Public Health Charisma University Turks and Caicos Island
  • Ochechi Joseph Ugbede Department of Public Health Charisma University Turks and Caicos Island
  • Emmanuel Onuh Ochechi Department of Public Health Charisma University Turks and Caicos Island
  • Okolo Petronilla Nnenna Department of Public Health (Community Health) Charisma University Turks and Caicos Island
  • Eze Martina Onuabuchi Department of Public Health Education Enugu state University of science and Technology
  • Dr Ugwuanyi Rosemary Chinenye Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) (Microbiology Option), Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu
  • Obiechina Lilian Ifeyinwa  Department of Public Health Sciences, Charisma University, Turks and Caicos Island

Keywords:

Immunization coverage, Adverse events following immunization, Vaccine safety, Retrospective cohort study, Public health.

Abstract

Immunization is a global health goal that has greatly minimized the burden of infectious diseases. But vaccine uptake is driven by public opinion about vaccine safety and AEFI reports. The aim of this study is to assess the association between reported AEFIs and immunization coverage in a large retrospective cohort. This is a retrospective cohort study using health care data from one million individuals between 2010 and 2022. Immunization registers were reviewed to determine rates of vaccination coverage for recommended vaccines. AEFI reports were gathered from health databases, and they were organized based on the severity (mild, moderate, severe) and type (local, systemic or allergic). Statistical analyses were carried out to establish a relationship between vaccination coverage and incidence of AEFIs after adjusting for confounders such as age, sex and the underlying health conditions. The immunization coverage ranged at 85%. AEFI reporting rates were 0.3 per 1,000 doses with mild events amounting to 90% of reports. There were no significant time trends in reporting of severe AEFI. The incidence of AEFI was not related to vaccines with greater coverage rates. Using regression analysis showed that higher levels of education and living in urban areas were associated with increased vaccine uptake, as well as mild AEFIs but not for moderate or severe ones. The results indicated no relationship between high immunization coverage and occurrence of adverse events which supports the safety profile of vaccines. Also, the trend of AEFIs is constant and there is no marked increase in severe reactions observed over a twelve-year period. The relationship between socio-demographic factors and immunization coverage as well as AEFI reporting, reveals that there is a need for strategic communication interventions to maintain vaccine confidence. This study confirms the need to follow AEFI in order to strengthen public health initiatives and improve immunization coverage.

Downloads

Published

2024-07-01

How to Cite

Atuchi, N. M., Ogbuyeme , O. J. N., Ugbede, O. J., Ochechi , E. O., Okolo , P. N., Eze , M. O., Ugwuanyi , R. C., & Obiechina, L. I. (2024). Immunization Coverage and Adverse Events Following Vaccination: A Retrospective Cohorts Study. Multi-Disciplinary Research and Development Journals Int’l, 5(1), 17. Retrieved from http://mdrdji.org/index.php/mdj/article/view/80

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)