This study examines the role of gender in the receipt of vaccinations by 0 to 5 year old children in Pakistan and in their long-term nutritional status, the effect of immunization and nutrition upon children’s susceptibility to illness, and the role of gender in the medical treatment of ill children. Data from 1991 Pakistan Integrated Household Survey reveal that, in the 0 to 5 age group, boys are significantly likelier to be immunized than girls. These data
also yield the finding that there isn’t significant gender bias in children’s long-term nutritional status as measured by height-for-age. It is found that neither immunization nor
long-term nutrition is a statistically significant factor in children’s infectious illnesses within 30 days preceding the Survey, though non-infectious illnesses are significantly less likely among better nourished children. It is discovered that boys’ illnesses are significantly likelier to be referred to medical professionals than girls’ illnesses, and that, sick or not, boys enjoy greater access to medical professionals than girls.