Immunization in Northern Nigeria

• Development Workshop

Date and Location

Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
ARE Library Conference Room, 4101 Social Sciences and Humanities

Abstract

Northern Nigeria has some of the lowest childhood immunization rates in the world. Of particular importance is the measles vaccine, as measles is highly virulent, has high mortality, and must be given 9 months after birth which makes adherence difficult. In the context of a program offering cash payments for vaccinations, we conduct a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of both phone call reminders as well as increased cash payments to caregivers as an incentive to vaccinate their children for measles. We find that phone call reminders have a modest yet statistically significant effects, raising the immunization coverage rate by around 4 percentage points. Despite the modest effects, due to low costs the intervention is highly cost-effective, costing an estimated $3,099 per life saved. We do not find additional effects of offering increased cash payments.