Catching-up with pentavalent vaccine: Exploring reasons behind lower rotavirus vaccine coverage in El Salvador

Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in El Salvador in 2006 and is recommended to be given concomitantly

with DTP–HepB–Haemophilus influenzae type b (pentavalent) vaccine at ages 2 months (upper age limit

15 weeks) and 4 months (upper age limit 8 months) of age. However, rotavirus vaccination coverage

continues to lag behind that of pentavalent vaccine, even in years when national rotavirus vaccine stockouts

have not occurred. We analyzed factors associated with receipt of oral rotavirus vaccine among

children who received at least 2 doses of pentavalent vaccine in a stratified cluster survey of children

aged 24–59 months conducted in El Salvador in 2011. Vaccine doses included were documented on

vaccination cards (94.4%) or in health facility records (5.6%). Logistic regression and survival analysis were

used to assess factors associated with vaccination status and age at vaccination. Receipt of pentavalent

vaccine by age 15 weeks was associated with rotavirus vaccination (OR: 5.1; 95% CI 2.7, 9.4