OBJECTIVES: Even though childhood immunization programs have made substantial contributions in lowering the burden of disease among children, a large proportion of children are still unimmunized in developing countries. This study is aiming to explore determinants of rotavirus vaccine (RVV) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) uptake in Ethiopia.

METHODS: Our analysis is based on the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data. The analysis included 3,947 children aged 12–35 months. Multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify the determinants of uptake of RVV and PCV.

RESULTS: About one-half (50.1%) and 44.0% of the eligible children had received the complete dose of RVV (two doses) and PCV (three doses), respectively. The likelihood of immunization with complete dose of RV is higher for children whose mothers attended antenatal clinic (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.68; 95% CI 1.25-2.26) and originate from Benishangul region (3.44; 1.52-7.78) and Dire Dawa city (3.10; 1.46-6.58). Children from Muslim mothers (0.68; 0.49-0.94) and living in the Afar region (0.32; 0.14-0.75) were less likely to take complete dose of RVV. Furthermore, use of antenatal care (1.97; 1.50-2.58), and delivery at health facility (1.40; 1.01-1.95) were found to be predictors of complete vaccination with PCV. Oppositely, children from Afar (0.10; 0.03-0.27), Amhara (0.34; 0.13-0.84), Oromia (0.24; 0.10-0.59), Somali (0.27; 0.10-0.75), South (0.28; 0.11-0.74), Gambela (0.17; 0.07-0.42) and Harari regions (0.37; 0.16-0.88) were less likely to take complete doses of PCV. Additionally, children whose mothers are Muslim (0.61; 0.42-0.88) or of a traditional religion (0.27; 0.11-0.63) and living in urban area (0.56; 0.32-0.96) were also less likely to take all the three doses of PCV.

CONCLUSIONS: The uptake of RVV and PCV was modest in Ethiopia. Religion, regional variation, residence place, use of antenatal care and delivery place were found to be important determinants for the uptake of the vaccines.