The Open Infectious Diseases Journal

2011, 5 : 6-7
Published online 2011 February 23. DOI: 10.2174/1874279301105010006
Publisher ID: TOIDJ-5-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE
 Keeping Immunisation Coverage Targets in Perspective

David W. Brown, *
United Nations Children’s Fund, Three United Nations Plaza, New York 10017 USA.

* Address correspondence to this author at the United Nations Children’s Fund, Three United Nations Plaza, New York 10017 USA. E-mail: dbrown @ unicef.org

ABSTRACT

Immunisation coverage targets have had a central role in global immunisation efforts. There is a growing focus on achievement of immunisation coverage targets by national immunisation programmes, particularly where targets are included as part of performance based funding arrangements. However, immunisation coverage targets should not become a distraction to national immunisation programme managers whereby short run forces to lead to a shift or abandonment of technically appropriate and sustainable activities in a country.

Keywords:

Immunization programs, goals, program evaluation.