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Despite government efforts to achieveUniversal Immunization Programme (UIP) targets in India, there is a significant disparity between targets and actual results for immunization coverage.Over two-fifths of children receive all recommended vaccinations, and the rate of complete immunization coverage remains constant.However, partial immunization has increased, reflecting wide regional and socio-economic variations in fully immunized children.The present study investigates socioeconomic inequality in the UIP for children aged 0-5 years across India.The study analyzed 75th round of the NSS data conducted from July 2017 to June 2018.Expenditure incurred by households on the immunization of children was considered a dependent variable and analyzed by government and private health facilities.To investigate the extent of inequality among socio-economic groups in the distribution of government subsidies and type of government health centers, we used a Benefit Incidence Analysis (BIA) approach.Also, concentration curves (CC) and concentration indices (CI) were further calculated to disclose inequalities.The study's findings show the variation in the utilization rates for healthcare facilities based on quintile class, urban and rural areas.The poorest section of households utilizes government health centers more than the richer section of households.Gender inequality was seen in terms of the utilization of private and government health centers.The mean expenditure on immunization of children aged 0-5 years in government and private health centers varies across quintile class, rural and urban areas.The CC and CI disclose inequalities in the utilization of healthcare facilities and expenditure incurred by households for immunization of children aged 0-5 years across India.The overall benefit incidence was the highest among the richer section of households in urban areas compared to the poorer section in rural areas.Inequalities in benefit incidence and subsidy impact exist due to the distribution of benefits among the richer sections of households.As a result, the government needs to launch awareness campaigns, improve rural health infrastructure, reduce financial burden through insurance coverage and subsidies and focus on states with high socio-economic inequalities.It will ensure equitable distribution of benefits among poorer socio-economic groups in both rural and urban areas.
Sharma et al. (2024) studied this question.