Eradicating diseases: The effect of conditional cash transfers on vaccination coverage in rural Nicaragua

Tania Barham and John Maluccio

Journal of Health Economics, 2009, vol. 28, issue 3, 611-621

Abstract: Despite significant global efforts to improve vaccination coverage against major childhood diseases, vaccination rates are below 90%. To eradicate diseases such as measles, however, vaccination rates close to 95% are needed. We use a randomized experiment to investigate the effect of a demand incentive, a conditional cash transfer program, in improving vaccination coverage in rural Nicaragua. Double-difference estimates show the program led to large increases in vaccination coverage, and these resulted in vaccination levels greater than 95% for some vaccines. Effects were especially large for children who are typically harder to reach with traditional supply-side interventions.

Keywords: Conditional; cash; transfers; Nicaragua; Vaccination; Demand-side; incentives; Eradication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (38)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:28:y:2009:i:3:p:611-621

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