Codes
This variable is not available for any of the currently selected samples.
Description
For children born in the 3 to 5 years before the survey, VACPENTA1 (H51) indicates whether the child has received the first in a series of DPT-HepB-Hib or pentavalent vaccinations against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. The pentavalent vaccination is often given as an injection in the thigh, sometimes at the same time as polio drops.
The pentavalent vaccination primary series usually consists of 3 administrations, and the complementary variables VACPENTA2 (H52) and VACPENTA3 (H53) report the second and third administrations, respectively.
VACPENTA1 uses composite coding, with a first digit of 2 indicating the child has been vaccinated and the second digit indicating the source of information (a dated entry on the vaccination card, an undated mark on the vaccination card, or the mother's report).
Comparability — Index
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GENERAL |
Comparability
Apart from universe differences and slight differences in question wording, VACPENTA1 (H51) is largely comparable across samples.
The type, timing, and number of doses in recommended pentavalent vaccination primary series have varied between nations and across years. Knowledge of the recommended regimen in the region and year of interest may be required to determine whether, for example, three doses constituted a full pentavalent vaccination series. For more information on these recommendations, refer to "WHO Vaccination Schedules and Updates."
In some countries and years, vaccinations against the illnesses covered by pentavalent vaccines were administered in other separate vaccinations. The most common example is the DPT vaccine, which vaccinates against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. VACPENTA1 refers to pentavalent as a single vaccination against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b only; the variable does not include responses indicating receipt of separate DPT, hepatitis B, or Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccinations. See country-specific comparability (below) for more information.
Comparability - Standard DHS
VACPENTA1 (H51) is included in the standard DHS questionnaire beginning in Phase VII. In Phases I through VI, the related standard vaccination was DPT only (VACDPT1 (H3)).
In Phase I, respondents are asked to show a health card with immunization records for their children. For this phase, the health card is the only source of information for the vaccine variables. Beginning in Phase II, if a health card is not available, or if the respondent indicates the child received additional vaccines not recorded on the card, follow-up questions are asked to determine which vaccinations the child received.
To maximize comparability, researchers using data from samples relying exclusively on vaccination cards should focus only on positive cases based on dated entries in the vaccination card (code "22") in later samples.
