Inequalities in Childhood Immunization in Ethiopia: Evidence from the 2011 DHS Data

Bezuhan A. Wale, BZY Consult

The main objective of the research is to examine inequalities in child immunization in Ethiopia. The nationally representative Ethiopian 2011 DHS data was used for this study. There are wide inequalities in the immunization status of children in Ethiopia. Children of educated women, rich households, rural areas and Addis Ababa and Tigray Regional State have higher chances of being fully immunized. Children from the richest and middle households are less likely to be fully unimmunized by 74% and 57% respectively compared to those from the poorest households. Children from SNNP, Oromia and Amhara Regional states are 3.82, 7.00 and 3.65 times more likely not to be fully immunized compared to Tigray Regional State that has the second highest proportion of fully immunized children. The preliminary findings indicate that there are unfair immunization coverage rates that give unequal chance of protection from vaccine preventable diseases for children of the future generation.