Vaccine Timing in Nairobi's Informal Settlements: What's the Deal?

In Nairobi's crowded informal settlements, getting kids vaccinated on time isn't always easy. A recent study looked at how well children under five in two big informal settlements, Viwandani and Korogocho, were getting their shots according to schedule. Researchers talked to mothers and caregivers, checking immunization records to see if vaccines were given at the right time. They found that most kids got their first vaccine, BCG, on time. About 90% received it within 28 days of birth. The second dose, DTP-Hib-HepB-3, was also given on time to around 90% of kids between 14 and 18 weeks. However, the measles vaccine, MCV1, had a slightly lower rate, with about 84% of kids getting it between 9 and 10 months.But why the difference? The study found that caregivers who weren't sure about accessing health services were less likely to get their kids vaccinated on time. This uncertainty affected all three vaccines. Interestingly, kids in Viwandani were more likely to get the measles vaccine on time compared to those in Korogocho. On the other hand, children of Christian caregivers were less likely to get vaccinated on time compared to those whose caregivers weren't religious. The study suggests that improving outreach programs, engaging with faith-based groups, and setting up reminder systems could help more kids get their vaccines on time, especially for those given later in infancy.