Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42809835›Full record

ArticleOnline journal of public health informatics2026

Using Immunization Data Systems to Track Zero-Dose Children in Bangladesh: Mixed Methods Exploratory Study.

Samiha Yunus, Prem Singh, Alan Noble John, Elizabeth Oliveras, Md Jasim Uddin, Nurul Alam, Md Wazed Ali, Hemel Das, Chris Morgan

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Article in Online journal of public health informatics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Samiha YunusJhpiego, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1243-416X
Prem SinghJhpiego, New Delhi, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3716-0169
Alan Noble JohnJhpiego, New Delhi, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5070-0810
Elizabeth OliverasJhpiego, Maryland, MD, United States.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0177-8493
Md Jasim UddinHealth Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5001-4634
Nurul AlamHealth Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1202-4451
Md Wazed AliHealth Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4041-6807
Hemel DasHealth Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2226-5235
Chris MorganJhpiego, Maryland, MD, United States.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0931-5474

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundZero-dose (ZD) children-those who receive no routine vaccines-remain highly vulnerable, with global evidence showing that they are concentrated in marginalized and hard-to-reach settings. In Bangladesh, stagnant full-immunization coverage, population mobility, and inconsistencies in administrative data complicate accurate estimation of ZD and underimmunized children. Gaps in the completeness, timeliness, and accuracy of routine Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) information systems further limit the ability to identify and target these populations.

objectiveThis study aimed to assess the completeness, timeliness, and accuracy of Bangladesh's immunization data systems and to identify challenges and strategies for integrating ZD analysis into routine EPI information systems.

methodsWe used a mixed methods exploratory descriptive qualitative approach comprising a desk review and stakeholder interviews conducted from February 2024 to April 2024. The desk review assessed program documents, gray literature, and published studies to map routine immunization data sources and their relevance for ZD analysis. Thirteen purposively selected stakeholders, including EPI and District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) managers, were interviewed using semistructured interview guides to gather insights on data availability, reporting practices, and system challenges. Information from both steps was synthesized using a structured checklist to evaluate completeness, timeliness, accuracy, and feasibility of ZD tracking across data sources. Data were analyzed manually using a deductive thematic approach.

resultsTen routine immunization data sources were identified, with DHIS2, the Rapid Convenience Monitoring (RCM) tool, and the EPI Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES) emerging as the primary systems for ZD tracking. Although most sources captured child-level data, the use of unique identifiers and household-level variables was inconsistent. Data quality and timeliness varied: DHIS2 faced denominator inaccuracies, CES and Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) provided high-quality survey estimates, and RCM delivered real-time data from hard-to-reach areas. Multiple systems supported ZD identification, although each had limitations related to data completeness, sampling, geographic granularity, or operational constraints.

conclusionsImmunization data systems in Bangladesh are fragmented, with limited ZD tracking and predominantly district-level reporting. DHIS2, RCM, and Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) are the most promising platforms for routine ZD monitoring, offering nationwide integration, real-time field data, and detailed local analysis. Harmonizing these systems and combining data from multiple sources can improve targeted interventions, subnational monitoring, and equitable vaccine coverage.

Indexed as

Bangladeshchildrendata systemimmunizationvaccinezero-dose

Identifiers

PMID42809835
PMCPMC13662448

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.