There is hardly any data on vaccination timeliness in Uganda, but findings from studies having assessed timeliness elsewhere indicate that timely vaccination is often far from optimal [3], [6], [7], [8], [9] and [11]. This strengthens the argument to monitor not only whether children are vaccinated, but also

when they receive the recommended SRT1720 concentration vaccines. Despite gradual improvements in vaccination coverage and a large reduction in measles, pertussis and tetanus mortality, in 2008, these diseases were still responsible for about 4% of the child mortality globally, and nearly 6% of around 190 000 child deaths in Uganda [20]. These deaths are vaccine preventable, and diseases such as measles can potentially be eliminated with vaccination [21] and [22]. A coverage rate of measles vaccine exceeding 95% has been indicated as a necessary level when aiming for elimination [23] and [24]. This study population had measles vaccine coverage far below this threshold (80% coverage, and 56% received the measles vaccine within the recommended time period). This leaves

many children susceptible to diseases after their maternal antibodies drop to levels insufficient to protect them [1], [2] and [3]. For the BCG vaccine, it has been suggested that late administration may have an adverse impact [5]. There may also be indirect effects of timing selleck chemicals of immunisation, but larger studies are needed before conclusions about these potential effects can be made [10]. For the measles vaccine, it can be argued that early vaccination which was given to 12% in this study is an advantage, but this will then require re-immunisation as evoked immune responses are weakened [23], [25] and [26]. In addition, severely immunocompromised children may develop active measles disease caused by the measles vaccination, which complicates immunisation assessment of some HIV-positive children [27]. Vitamin A was in this

study given to nearly half of the babies already in the neonatal period. There is good Phosphoprotein phosphatase evidence of a beneficial effect on mortality from vitamin A supplementation between the age of 6 months and 5 years, but conflicting evidence when given early in infancy [28], [29], [30], [31] and [32]. The information on vitamin A from this study exemplifies how self-reported data can differ from recorded data, with an absolute discrepancy of 10%. As it may be difficult to remember whether a capsule was given to the child several months ago, we assume that the prospectively collected data from the health cards is of better quality. The fact that many lost their health cards, further complicates the decision for health personnel on whether the children should give a vaccine or vitamin A dose when they come for a visit to the health clinic. These issues are likely to remain unsolved as long as only paper-based records are used as they are today.