DATA BRIEFS (continued) Rural children lag in DPT Disparities in immunization coverage reveal weak spots where countries need to target initiatives to ensure that the right of all children to health care is fulfilled. In rural areas of Niger, for example, only 15% of children have been immunized against DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus), in contrast with 72% of those in urban areas, a difference of 57 percentage points. This is the greatest disparity among the 17 countries with urban/rural DPT coverage gaps of more than 20 percentage points. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Eritrea have the next highest gaps, both with 49 percentage points. Of the 17 high-gap countries, 14 are in Africa. From 1980 to 1990, many developing countries achieved great immunization gains, boosting DPT rates from about 30% to an average of 80%. The goal for the year 2000 is at least 90% immunization coverage for children in every country. Various strategies can overcome coverage disparities: China, for example, set district-level coverage targets.
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