Does Childhood Immunization Rebound after Extreme Shocks? Evidence from Floods and Strikes in Pakistan
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 113,
May 2023
(pp. 642-46)
Abstract
In 2022, childhood immunization in the Sindh province of Pakistan was disrupted by the worst floods in Pakistan's history and by vaccinator strikes. We use weekly data on all vaccinations from 12 of the lowest immunization districts in Sindh, strike timing, and satellite flood data to examine 2.5-month impacts. Despite intensive catchup efforts by the government and the international community, immunizations declined 19 percent more in flooded towns than nonflooded towns postfloods, and 11,500 children missed vaccinations as result of the floods. Immunizations in strike towns were 48 percent lower than in nonstrike towns, with 15,300 lost immunizations over the entire postperiod.Citation
Chandir, Subhash, Rachel Glennerster, Maryiam Haroon, Edward Jee, and Danya Arif Siddiqi. 2023. "Does Childhood Immunization Rebound after Extreme Shocks? Evidence from Floods and Strikes in Pakistan." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 113: 642-46. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20231110Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Behavior
- I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- J52 Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation; Collective Bargaining
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
- O18 Economic Development: Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
- Q54 Climate; Natural Disasters and Their Management; Global Warming