Only 7.3% of all young children between 12-23 months in South Sudan are fully immunized. The results are based on a scientific survey in 2012 published in 2013 in the Pan African Medical Journal. Administrative reports had claimed that DTP-3 immunization was gone up from 20% in 2002 to 80% in 2011, while in fact the current DTP-3 coverage is 22%. South Sudan is an exception in the African region where a record high vaccination coverage level of 74% was reached compared to 80% worldwide.
Coverage for other antigens were; BCG (28.3%), DTP-1(25.9%), Measles (16.8%). The drop-out rate between the first and third doses of DTP was 21.3%. The majority of immunizations (80.8%) were received at health facilities compared to community service points (19.2%). The major reason for missed immunizations was inadequate information (41.1%). Future efforts to improve vaccination quality and coverage should prioritize training of vaccinators and program communication.
Most regions sustained the positive DTP-3 coverage trends even after surpassing the 80% mark, the World Health Organization reports. The high absolute numbers of infants who continue to miss their 3rd DTP dose worldwide is estimated is 22.4 million.