Malawi 2015-16

vaccine (81%). Although more children received first doses of the DPT-HepB-Hib and polio than the
second or third doses, dropout rates are generally low (Table 10.2). Ninety-seven percent of children age
12-23 months received the first DPT-HepB-Hib dose
and 93% received the last dose. These percentages
were 97% and 81% for the polio vaccine. Two
percent of children age 12-23 months received no
vaccinations.
Figure 10.2 Trends in childhood
vaccinations
Percentage of children age 12-23 months
who received all basic vaccinations at any
time before the survey
Trends: The percentage of children 12-23 months in
Malawi who have received all basic vaccinations
declined from 82% in 1992 to 64% in 2004 before
rebounding to 81% in 2010. Between 2010 and
2015-16, the percentage dropped slightly to 76%.
During this same period, the proportion of children
who received no vaccinations remained low between
2% and 4% (Figure 10.2).
10.2.2 Uptake of the Newly Introduced
Vaccines
All basic vaccinations
82
81
70
64
76
No vaccinations
3 3 4 2 2
1992 2000 2004 2010 2015-16
The Government of Malawi introduced the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and monovalent
human rotavirus vaccine (RV1) into the national’s infant immunisation programme in November 2011 and
October 2012. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which
cause severe pneumonia, meningitis, and other illnesses. Rotavirus causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation
of the stomach and intestines. If untreated, rotavirus can lead to severe dehydration and death.
In addition to the basic vaccinations, it is recommended that all children 12-23 months receive one dose of
polio vaccine at birth, three doses of the pneumococcal vaccine, and two doses of the rotavirus vaccine
before their first birthday. Ninety-six percent of children age 12-23 months received the first dose of the
pneumococcal vaccine, and 95% the first dose of rotavirus vaccine. Coverage rates decline for subsequent
doses, with 89% of children age 12-23 months receiving the third dose of the pneumococcal vaccine, and
91% the second dose of the rotavirus vaccine. Overall, half of children age 12-23 months (51%) received
all recommended vaccinations for their age group, and 48% received the recommended vaccinations by
age 12 months (Table 10.2).
A single measles vaccine given at 9 months has long been part of the child immunisation schedule in
Malawi. In 2015 the Government of Malawi introduced a second dose of measles vaccine to be
administered at 15 months. Ninety-three percent of children age 24-35 months received the first dose of
measles vaccine, but only 18% received the second. The low coverage for the second dose of measles
vaccine reflects the fact that the survey fieldwork was conducted when the vaccine had just been
introduced. Some children may have missed the opportunity to receive the second dose of measles vaccine
because the vaccine was not yet available in their area.
Patterns by background characteristics
• Children age 12-23 months who reside in rural areas are more likely to receive all basic vaccinations
compared with children residing in urban areas (77% versus 70%) (Table 10.3).
Child Health • 143