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What is vaccine coverage?
- Vaccine coverage is a measure of the percentage or proportion of individuals who have been vaccinated within a given population.
- Vaccine coverage is an important indicator of the effectiveness and success of a vaccination program. It helps assess the level of protection provided by vaccines against specific diseases within a community. High vaccine coverage rates are essential for achieving herd immunity, which occurs when a significant portion of the population is immune to a particular disease, thereby reducing its transmission and protecting vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated.
- High coverage of the first dose of DTP-containing vaccine (DTP1) indicates good access to primary healthcare facilities; by contrast, a high proportion of zero-dose children suggest either low access to services or lack of acceptance of vaccination.
- Vaccine coverage can be measured in a number of ways using data from immunization registries, routine administrative reports or surveys. WHO provides guidance on methods for measuring immunization coverage through surveys
Vaccine coverage in Africa
Vaccine coverage in Africa
