Beyond the clinic gate: barriers to childhood immunization access and strategies for improvement at a rural Zimbabwean clinic

Childhood immunization through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) remains central to reducing vaccine-preventable disease morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe’s national EPI coverage for pentavalent 3 stood at 83% in 2023, below the 90% global target. Nyaure Clinic in Goromonzi District, Mashonaland East Province, recorded coverage of 65%, 62%, and 67% for pentavalent 3 in 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively. This study investigated factors affecting access to EPI serv