Immunisation and infant mortality in sub-Saharan African countries

Abstract

A recent report claims that Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region is experiencing the highest infant mortality when paralleled to other regions. However, previous empirical studies mainly focus on health expenditure and infant mortality, while research on the influence of immunisation on newborn mortality is very scanty. Therefore, this study (unlike the existing one) considers the importance of health intervention particularly the potential of immunisations on reducing infant mortality in SSA countries. The study specifically focused on 28 selected countries from SSA. The observation period for the study spanned between 2005 and 2021. Grossman’s theory was used as a theoretical framework. To control for endogeneity issues, the study employed Arellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond system GMM estimator technique. Findings show that immunisation (proxy by immunisation against Hepatitis B) and per capita income have negative effects on infant mortality; however, the population growth rate is positively related to infant mortality. Therefore, SSA governments may consider strategies to make immunisations easily accessible, and those policies that constrain population growth, and improve well-being should be prioritised.