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Status of Vaccine Coverage in Pediatric Patients Admitted to the Hospital Universitario De Caracas, Venezuela
13 Pages Posted: 11 Jun 2019
More...Abstract
In Venezuela, PAHO has reported an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases including diphtheria and measles since 2016. The goal of this work was to assess vaccination coverage in children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas (HUC).
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study included 0 to 12 years old children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics at HUC admitted between January 2015 and December 2018, and verified immunization scheme. The patient data were compared with the schedule of the Ministry of Popular Power for Health of Venezuela and analyzed by comparing immunization coverage by year of patient hospitalization and patient age.
Results: A total of 2500 patients were surveyed, corresponding to 53.3% male (n = 1333), 30.8% infants (n = 770), and 75.90% (n = 1898) Graffar V. Coverage levels above 95% was found only for the case of BCG. Comparing vaccination coverage with the vaccination schedule vs year of patient hospitalization, it was observed a mean decrease in vaccine coverage of 12% in 2018 relative to 2015 (p = 0.00001). Vaccination rates in children under one year old were lower than in children older than 6 years for all vaccines (p = 0.00001)
Conclusions: There is a decline in vaccination coverage in 2018 in relation to previous years, being the most affected children less than one year old.
Funding: None.
Declaration of Interest: We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Ethical Approval: Approved by the ethics committee HUC of 2015.
Keywords: vaccines, coverage, children
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation