WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Ahmed Zuhair Thanoon, Dr. Omar Mowaffaq Jabir Mohammed Allayla and Dr. Ahmed Wael Hazim

ABSTRACT

Background: National immunization programs administer routine vaccinations, but low coverage in developingcountries is attributed to vaccine stock out and wastage. Minimizing wastage and associated costs is crucial foreffective vaccine management. Aim: To estimate vaccine coverage and wastage rates needed to informvaccination policies, programs, and investments. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in theNineveh Governorate, focusing on the correlation between vaccine wastage and coverage rates. Data wascollected from 2/1/2023 to 30/6/2023, analyzing routine vaccine wastage and coverage rates. The study wasconducted within the Nineveh Department of Health, including 11 health districts, and was derived from recordsin the Public Health Department and primary health districts. Results: The study found that health workers in Ba,Aj, Hatra, and Makhmur districts were 100% trained, with Shikhan district having the highest coverage rates forRota, Penta, OPV, Measles, MMR, and DPT. Ba'aj district had the highest coverage rates for IPV, BCG, andPneumococcal vaccine. Aymen district had the highest HP-B coverage rate. However, Ba'aj district had thehighest wastage ratios for DPT, HIP-B, IPV, OPV, Penta, Rota, and BCG. Hatra district had the highest wastageratio for Measles, while Makhmur district had the highest wastage ratio for MMR and Pneumococcal vaccine.Significant direct correlations were found between vaccine coverage and wastage for Penta-vaccine and Measles.Conclusions: Health workers in Nineveh governorate undergo vaccination training, with high coverage rates andlow wastage. There is a direct correlation between vaccine coverage and wastage.