A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON COVERAGE OF BCG, MR, OPV, HEPATITIS-B, VACCINES AMONG PAEDIATRIC POPULATION IN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL WITH REFERENCE TO ANDHRA PRADESH STATE CENSUS DATA

Immunization is a vital public health strategy that plays a significant role in reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to assess the coverage of Bacillus Calmette– Guérin, Measles-Rubella, Oral Polio Vaccine, and Hepatitis B vaccines among the paediatric population in a tertiary care teaching hospital and to compare the findings with Andhra Pradesh state census data. A cross-sectional study was conducted using immunization records of children, and data were analyzed to evaluate vaccine coverage and adherence to the recommended immunization schedule. The results showed that 86% of children were fully immunized compared to 100% in Andhra Pradesh state data. Vaccine coverage was 100% for Bacillus Calmette–Guérin, Hepatitis B, and Oral Polio Vaccine, which was slightly higher than state coverage, whereas Measles-Rubella vaccine coverage was 72.6%, significantly lower than the 95% reported at the state level. Awareness regarding vaccination was also lower than state data. The study concludes that although institutional vaccine coverage is satisfactory, gaps in Measles-Rubella vaccination and caregiver awareness highlight the need for improved follow-up and education strategies to achieve complete immunization coverage.