Timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, Oman
Abstract Background Oman has achieved consistently high national immunization coverage; however, the timeliness and validity of vaccine administration remain under-assessed. This study evaluated the timeliness and validity of routine childhood vaccinations to provide a more comprehensive understandi...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22920-z |
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| author | Prakash KP Bader Al-Rawahi Noura Al-Farsi Mariyam Al-Shaibi Athari Al-Jahwari Bader Al-Abri Seif Al-Abri Amal Al-Maani |
| author_facet | Prakash KP Bader Al-Rawahi Noura Al-Farsi Mariyam Al-Shaibi Athari Al-Jahwari Bader Al-Abri Seif Al-Abri Amal Al-Maani |
| author_sort | Prakash KP |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Oman has achieved consistently high national immunization coverage; however, the timeliness and validity of vaccine administration remain under-assessed. This study evaluated the timeliness and validity of routine childhood vaccinations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of immunization program performance. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using WHO cluster sampling, targeting children under five across all 11 governorates and 61 districts in Oman. Data from 17,501 children were collected using the Epicollect5 app and verified through immunization cards and health records. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and WHO operational definitions were used to assess crude coverage, valid doses, timeliness, and dropout rates. Results Crude national vaccination coverage was high (94.4–99.9%), with 98.7% of children fully immunized. However, only 78% received valid vaccinations, indicating missed or delayed doses. Timely vaccination rates decreased with age, with notable delays at 18 months. Invalid vaccination rates ranged from 3.3% at birth to 28.1% at 18 months, with significant district-level variation. Dropout rates slightly increased with age, peaking in Muscat and Dhofar. Conclusions Oman achieves high vaccination coverage; however, a noteworthy number of children receive invalid doses. This highlights the urgent need to educate parents and healthcare providers on timely administration of valid doses. Assessing mild illnesses and promptly administering vaccinations can improve complete vaccination rates with valid doses. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-10e62ddcef0b4e338c49e2bf3589e89c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-10e62ddcef0b4e338c49e2bf3589e89c2025-08-20T01:49:47ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-05-012511710.1186/s12889-025-22920-zTimely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, OmanPrakash KP0Bader Al-Rawahi1Noura Al-Farsi2Mariyam Al-Shaibi3Athari Al-Jahwari4Bader Al-Abri5Seif Al-Abri6Amal Al-Maani7Department of Communicable diseases, Centre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthDepartment of Communicable diseases, Centre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthDepartment of Communicable diseases, Centre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthDepartment of Communicable diseases, Centre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthDepartment of Communicable diseases, Centre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthDepartment of Surveillance, Centre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthCentre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthCentre for disease control and prevention, Ministry of HealthAbstract Background Oman has achieved consistently high national immunization coverage; however, the timeliness and validity of vaccine administration remain under-assessed. This study evaluated the timeliness and validity of routine childhood vaccinations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of immunization program performance. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using WHO cluster sampling, targeting children under five across all 11 governorates and 61 districts in Oman. Data from 17,501 children were collected using the Epicollect5 app and verified through immunization cards and health records. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and WHO operational definitions were used to assess crude coverage, valid doses, timeliness, and dropout rates. Results Crude national vaccination coverage was high (94.4–99.9%), with 98.7% of children fully immunized. However, only 78% received valid vaccinations, indicating missed or delayed doses. Timely vaccination rates decreased with age, with notable delays at 18 months. Invalid vaccination rates ranged from 3.3% at birth to 28.1% at 18 months, with significant district-level variation. Dropout rates slightly increased with age, peaking in Muscat and Dhofar. Conclusions Oman achieves high vaccination coverage; however, a noteworthy number of children receive invalid doses. This highlights the urgent need to educate parents and healthcare providers on timely administration of valid doses. Assessing mild illnesses and promptly administering vaccinations can improve complete vaccination rates with valid doses.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22920-zVaccination coverageImmunization coverageCoverage surveyFully vaccinatedValid dosesOman |
| spellingShingle | Prakash KP Bader Al-Rawahi Noura Al-Farsi Mariyam Al-Shaibi Athari Al-Jahwari Bader Al-Abri Seif Al-Abri Amal Al-Maani Timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, Oman BMC Public Health Vaccination coverage Immunization coverage Coverage survey Fully vaccinated Valid doses Oman |
| title | Timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, Oman |
| title_full | Timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, Oman |
| title_fullStr | Timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, Oman |
| title_full_unstemmed | Timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, Oman |
| title_short | Timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country, Oman |
| title_sort | timely vaccination with valid doses in a high coverage country oman |
| topic | Vaccination coverage Immunization coverage Coverage survey Fully vaccinated Valid doses Oman |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22920-z |
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