Vitamin A coverage in children 6--59 months

Proportion of children 6 - 59 months having received vitamin A in previous 6 months

Unit Description

Percentage

Numerator

Number of children 6 - 59 months that received vitamin A in the previous 6 months (mother's recall or card verified)

Denominator

Total number of children 6-59 months surveyed

Disaggregation

Geographical area, age (6-11, 12-23 months), sex

Indicator used for response monitoring ?

Yes

Types

Baseline

Output

Threshold / Standard

Target: 95%. Upon completion of measles vaccination campaign at least 95 per cent of children aged 6–59 months have received an appropriate dose of Vitamin A

Guidance on phases

preparatory; Phase III and IV

Phase applicability

Pre-crisis/Baseline

Phase 3

Phase 4

Data Sources

population surveys with representative sampling methods (MICS, DHS, SMART)

Comments

The indicator applies for children living in settings where VAD is a public health problem, WHO follows the GAVA recommendation and advocates for two doses in the last year. In case there is an important difference, the programme should address these gaps by undertaking a gender analysis of the specific challenges the disadvantaged group is facing, including an analysis of the socio cultural habits and beliefs that might differently impact on girls' and boys' nutritional well being. Consider the dates of the actual vitamin A supplementation to get an indication of number of children uncovered (0 to 5 months old) and who should be included in the new supplementation programme.