Caregiver Experiences with the Introduction of Pentavalent Vaccines in Two Centers in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria

Background: The Nigerian government, with support from the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) in 2012, began a three year phased roll out of the pentavalent vaccine as a replacement for DPT in the routine immunization schedule.
Aim: To assess client experiences with the use of pentavalent vaccines in two centers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in January 2013. Caregiver-baby pairs who had index child six weeks to two years, who had received at least one dose of the pentavalent vaccine and had at least one other living child who took DPT, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Chi squared test of significance was done with p-value set at 0.05.
Results: One hundred and eleven (111) caregivers were interviewed. Their mean age was 31±4.6 years, while mean age for babies was 16±8.6 weeks. Although 71 caregivers (76.3%) had received pentavalent vaccine information only 25 (22.5%) had seen pentavalent-specific Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials. Majority of caregivers 94 (84.7%) affirmed that they did not have to pay for vaccination. Fifty-three (53) caregivers (47.7%) preferred pentavalent vaccines to DPT while 35 (31.55%) were indifferent. Eighty-one (81) (73%) caregivers were satisfied with waiting times for vaccination and 62 (57.4%) experienced adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with pentavalent vaccination.
Conclusion: Pentavalent vaccines seem to have been well received in these centers with experiences of AEFI comparable to that of DPT. There is however need for appropriate vaccine-specific IEC materials to foster optimal uptake of pentavalent vaccines.