This section of the Toolkit provides key resources that lay out the rationale for integrating immunization and family planning services. Among these resources are the High Impact Practices (HIP) Brief, which summarizes the global evidence and guidance for this practice. The family planning and immunization integration Annotated Bibliography presents more than 40 relevant articles and reports on this topic. 

Why integrate immunization and family planning services?

• Increasing access to postpartum family planning advances child health goals by reducing pre-term birth, infant death, and low birth weight.

• During the extended postpartum period, the majority of women wish to space or limit pregnancies but are not using a modern contraceptive method.  

• Vaccination visits can provide timely opportunities to link new mothers with family planning information and services.

• Effective integration may result in strengthened health systems and fewer missed opportunities to provide needed services to both mothers and children.

Visit the Conceptual Models page to learn more about the two primary models for integrated service delivery. 

While more research is needed to document the impact of integration on both family planning and immunization services, existing evidence indicates that integrated service delivery models can lead to increases in family planning uptake with no negative effect on the use of immunization services. Opportunities for strengthening use of immunization services through integrated service delivery are currently being explored.

To suggest an additional resource or share your perspective on integration of family planning and immunization services, please fill out our feedback form.