The Reality of Children’s Immunization under Five years of Age in Algeria: An Analytical Study on the Light of Algeria’s MICS 2019 Data

Abstract

This article examines the current state of vaccination among children under five in Algeria through an in-depth analysis of data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS6), conducted in Algeria during 2018–2019 under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, Population, and Hospital Reform, in collaboration with UNICEF. The article examined vaccination coverage rates for the various vaccines included in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and highlighted the disparities observed across geographic regions and socioeconomic levels. The results revealed that coverage for the tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) reached 97.7% in the 12–23-month age group, while the rate of full vaccination dropped to only 61.0% in the 24–31-month age group according to the new national schedule, with significant gaps favoring the northeastern region compared to the central highlands and the south. These findings underscore the need to strengthen vaccination interventions in vulnerable areas and among families with low educational levels.