Expanding and improving urban outreach immunization in Patna, India.

Objectives: We conducted a case study of an urban immunization outreach strategy to determine the feasibility of the intervention and to measure administrative immunization coverage outcomes.
Methods: A multipronged strategy for improving immunization coverage in Urban Patna, India, was implemented for 1 year (2009/2010). The strategy was designed to increase immunization sites, shift human resources, plan logistics, improve community mobilization, provide supervision, strengthen data flow and implement special vaccination drives.
Results: Over 1 year, the coverage of all primary vaccines of the Universal Immunization Program improved by over 100%.
Conclusion: Coverage can be rapidly improved through outreach immunization in low socioeconomic areas if existing opportunities are carefully utilized.
(© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)