Background: Childhood mortality in India fell by almost half between 2005 and 2021, due in part to the Indian government’s Commitment to improving pediatric immunization services in both the rural and urban locations.  Although Progress has been made, immunization coverage has nonetheless remained low in children (approximately around 70 %). This current study evaluated the relevant factors related to regular childhood immunization for children (under 5 years of age) of Devli village, South Delhi.  The benefit of a cross-sectional survey is that it collects facts and information to make inferences about a specific population of interest at a specific time point.

Methods: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among parents or primary caretakers of children under (1-5) from March 2022 to September 2022 using systematic random sampling.  Vaccination histories were verified from Mother & Child Protection (MCP) cards, socio-demographic and individual-level characteristics by using a pretested, valid, and reliable semi-structured questionnaire that was entered and coded in a digital spreadsheet prepared with MS excel software. Data analysis was carried out using appropriate statistical techniques (SPSS software version 26).

Result: A total of 20 children were included in the current pilot study. Full immunization coverage of vaccines was evaluated.  The record showed the following: one dose of Bacillus Calmette–Guerin-BCG), 3 doses of Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus-DPT/Pentavalent vaccine, oral polio vaccine, and one dose of measles vaccine within the age of 1 year. Among 20 children,70% of the mother had vaccination cards and their children had received all recommended doses according to the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) schedule.

Conclusions: The current pilot study revealed a significantly decreased UIP immunization coverage as compared to the previous report (NFHS-5 i.e., 85.1%) from Devli Village. Our study highlights the potential of improving parental awareness about the National Immunization Schedule (NIS), targeting health education interventions for pregnant women during antenatal visits to sustain and improve routine immunization coverage, parents’ (Mother and Father) education, occupation, place of birth/delivery. UIP is one of the largest public health programs targeting close of 2.67 crore newborns and 2.9 crore pregnant women annually. It is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions and largely responsible for reduction of vaccine preventable under-5 mortality rate. The two major milestones of UIP have been the elimination of polio in 2014 and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination in 2015

Keywords: immunization, Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG), Pertussis, Pentavalent vaccine, and oral polio vaccine