Efficacy of Technology-Aided Monitoring for Early Childhood Vaccination Coverage: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Ali, Umair; Khalid, Salman

Abstract

The implementation of the Electronic Vaccine Registration System (E-VACCS) in Punjab, Pakistan, during late 2014 aimed to enhance early childhood vaccination rates. Utilizing data from 2010-2019, this study employs a difference-in-differences framework to assess E-VACCS's impact on vaccination coverage. Results indicate a 2.2 percentage points increase in overall vaccination, driven by a notable 6.2 percentage points rise in urban households, primarily in mid-high income brackets. However, rural low-income households experienced negative effects, especially in hepatitis-specific vaccine coverage. The findings suggest a resource reallocation, with increased urban mid-high income household coverage at the expense of reduced coverage in low-income rural households. Robustness checks and event study estimations support the reliability of these results.

Citation

Ali, U., & Khalid, S. Efficacy of Technology-Aided Monitoring for Early Childhood Vaccination Coverage: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

• Working Paper Type: Working Paper
• Deposit Date: Jan 29, 2025
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4747369
• Keywords: Pakistan; Vaccination; Digital Vaccination Registry; Vaccine Information Systems; Health Information Systems; Immunizations; Immunization Information Systems; E-VACCS