Do Improvements in Routine Immunization Affect Educational Outcomes? A Difference in Difference Approach

Immunization is one of the most powerful interventions against childhood mortality. However, in many developing countries, such as India, routine immunization rates remain very low. Most prior research on the benefits of... [ view full abstract ]

Immunization is one of the most powerful interventions against childhood mortality. However, in many developing countries, such as India, routine immunization rates remain very low. Most prior research on the benefits of immunization has focused solely on direct health outcomes. My research outlines a framework to isolate the causal effect of routine immunization coverage on educational outcomes. In order to isolate this effect, I use difference in difference, which is an econometric technique, to explore the effect of a plausibly exogenous increase in the routine immunization coverage in Bihar, India, starting 2005. This increase was the result of Muskan Ek Abhiyan, a widespread vaccination program. The results of this research could add to the existing literature benefits of immunization by exploring possible effects on education. Additionally, the research could shed light on the importance of early health life interventions, on later life outcomes such as education.