Child Poverty Insights 14 - A new look at an old problem: Why do so many poor children miss out on essential immunizations?

In the latest issue of Child Poverty Insights (June 2011), MIT J-PAL founders and directors Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo draw on their new book Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty and focus on one particular question that is central to UNICEF's mission. Immunization is recognized as one of the most effective and most cost effective ways to save life. And yet, according to the World Health Organization every year, 27 million children do not receive the essential vaccinations that are part of the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Given the well-established benefits, and the resources that individual countries and the international community devote to this problem, why do so many poor children miss out on essential immunizations?

This issue of Child Poverty Insights can be downloaded in English, French and Spanish. All other Child Poverty Insights can be found here.