METHODS AND OBJECTIVES: To estimate the infant vaccination coverage in Belgium, a random cluster sample according to the expanded program on immunization (EPI) cluster sampling technique was performed in 1999 in the Flemish (Flanders) and French (Wallonia) speaking community of Belgium. The objective was to document the infant vaccination coverage retrospectively in 18-24-month-old children. In addition, the study offered the opportunity to assess some factors influencing vaccine uptake in infants. RESULTS: In the Flemish community infant vaccination coverage could not be associated with any of the socio-demographic factors, with two exceptions: the province (county) and the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination. The main reason for not complying with the vaccination schedule was mainly carelessness on either parent's or physician's side. In the French speaking community parents feel mostly themselves responsible for the non-vaccination or incomplete vaccination of their child, except for pertussis. For all vaccines, the attitude of the physician is mentioned as being very influential in the decision to vaccinate a child. Most of the socio-demographic factors showed no association with the infant vaccination coverage. CONCLUSION: The surveys in Flanders and Wallonia stress the importance of having information made available, and underline the role parents as well as physicians (and nurses) play in the infant immunization coverage.
METHODS AND OBJECTIVES: To estimate the infant vaccination coverage in Belgium, a random cluster sample according to the expanded program on immunization (EPI) cluster sampling technique was performed in 1999 in the Flemish (Flanders) and French (Wallonia) speaking community of Belgium. The objective was to document the infant vaccination coverage retrospectively in 18-24-month-old children. In addition, the study offered the opportunity to assess some factors influencing vaccine uptake in infants. RESULTS: In the Flemish community infant vaccination coverage could not be associated with any of the socio-demographic factors, with two exceptions: the province (county) and the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination. The main reason for not complying with the vaccination schedule was mainly carelessness on either parent's or physician's side. In the French speaking community parents feel mostly themselves responsible for the non-vaccination or incomplete vaccination of their child, except for pertussis. For all vaccines, the attitude of the physician is mentioned as being very influential in the decision to vaccinate a child. Most of the socio-demographic factors showed no association with the infant vaccination coverage. CONCLUSION: The surveys in Flanders and Wallonia stress the importance of having information made available, and underline the role parents as well as physicians (and nurses) play in the infant immunization coverage.
Authors: Liesbeth Mollema; Nancy Wijers; Susan J M Hahné; Fiona R M van der Klis; Hendriek C Boshuizen; Hester E de Melker Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-01-20 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Liesbeth Mollema; Jojet M Staal; Jim E van Steenbergen; Theo Gwm Paulussen; Hester E de Melker Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-02-14 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Heinz-J Schmitt; Robert Booy; Robert Aston; Pierre Van Damme; R Fabian Schumacher; Magda Campins; Carlos Rodrigo; Terho Heikkinen; Catherine Weil-Olivier; Adam Finn; Per Olcén; David Fedson; Heikki Peltola Journal: BMC Med Date: 2007-05-29 Impact factor: 8.775