Vaccine wastage assessment in a primary care setting in urban India

Research Question: What is the vaccine wastage in a primary care setting in urban India?

Methods: Record based descriptive study carried out in an Immunisation clinic in an urban resettlement colony in South Delhi. All children who got vaccinated in an immunisation clinic between 1st April 2009 and 31st March 2010 were included in the study. Number of vaccine vials procured and issued for immunization sessions was obtained from a stock register. Vaccine wastage rates and Wastage factor were calculated.

Results: A total of 6464 vaccinations (BCG, DPT, OPV, Measles, MMR, DT and TT) had been given to children. Vaccine wastage factor or Wastage multiplication factor for vaccines of 10 dose preparations (BCG, DPT, DT and TT) was 2.0, highest for BCG (3.4) and lowest for DPT (1.6). For vaccines of 5 dose preparations (Measles and MMR), the wastage factor was 1.6. Conclusions: Vaccine wastage rates are higher than expected in urban primary health care setting despite minimal or negligible loss due to cold chain failure or expiry.