Malabar ..... health at stake?

Contrary to expectations, latest surveys reveal a heavy decline in the trend of vaccination among the people of North Kerala. A total of 13 per cent decline was reported in the number of under- two children who were given immunisation vaccines in 2007-08.
According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the state achievement of 80 per cent immunisation coverage in the year 1995-98 had come down to 75 per cent in 2005-07. Though the whole of Kerala has witnessed a turn down in the number of children exposed to vaccination, the trend is more severe in districts like Kasargod, Kozhikode, Kannur and Wayanad, the survey shows.
The total number of under-two children who were exposed to vaccines from these four districts in Malabar in 2002-04 was 91.3 per cent. But the number declined to 78.7 per cent in 2007-08 according to a data collected by the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) departments of the respective districts.
The more alarming factor here is the increase in the number of educated persons showing aversion to vaccination.
As per the 2002-04 survey 92.2, 91.1, 88 and 93.8 were the immunisation coverage among under-two children in Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode district. This decreased to 84.5, 83.4, 78 and 69 in 2007-08. This shows that more reduction (24 per cent) is reported in Kozhikode which has more access to health education.
With education people have the tendency to be more doubtful about the competence of the vaccines. The propaganda by vested interest groups and their leaflets about the adversities of vaccination revert the educated from going for vaccination.
Although people are not so declined to receive vaccination for diseases like measles, the number of people who approach for polio vaccines and the third dose of DPT are showing severe diminution.
In contrast, Malappuram, another district in Malabar region had shown considerable improvement in the rate of vaccination. Their immunisation coverage was 53 per cent in 2002-04 and 61.9 in 2007-08. The better coordination of different medical sects and religious leaders were pointed out as the reason for the achievement.
However, doctor point out the threat of epidemic out break in case the immunisation coverage goes below 70 per cent.