FHS India Research Brief 3 - Barriers to access immunization services: a study in Murshidabad, West Bengal
Future Health Systems
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West Bengal, the focus state of the Future Health System research project, has demonstrated an impressive record of progress in immunization coverage. According to a recent national survey – the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) - the percentage of fully immunized children in the state has reached about 64 percent in 2005-06 (NFHS-3) from a mere 34 percent in 1990-91 (NFHS-1), compared to the national progress from 36 percent to 44 percent during the same period. About three-fourth of all children in the state received measles vaccine in 2005-06 compared to 42 percent in 1990-91 (the corresponding national figures are: 59% and 42%). Despite overall achievement in immunization coverage, there is a growing concern among the state’s decision-makers about relatively lower performance in several regions within the state. These are typical difficult pockets where severe