Jennifer S Hermann1, Kimberley A Simmonds2, Christopher A Bell3, Ellen Rafferty1, Shannon E MacDonald4,5. 1. Faculty of Nursing, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. 2. School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. 3. Analytics and Performance Reporting Branch, Alberta Health, Edmonton, Canada. 4. Faculty of Nursing, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, 11405-87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada. smacdon@ualberta.ca. 5. School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. smacdon@ualberta.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess vaccine coverage for a cohort of children who have been in the care of the child welfare system compared to children in the general population. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used population-based administrative health data for a 2008 birth cohort of children from Alberta, Canada. We assessed coverage at ages 2 (n = 44,206) and 7 (n = 42,241) for three vaccines with different administration schedules for children in care (at any period before the age of assessment) and those who had never been in care, comparing them using risk differences and relative risks (RRs). We similarly assessed coverage for children not in care who shared characteristics of children in care. RESULTS: At age two, vaccination coverage for children in care ranged from 54.3% to 81.4%, depending on vaccine. In comparison, coverage for those not in care ranged from 74.2% to 87.4%. At age seven, coverage for children in care ranged from 53.1% to 65.3%, compared to 76.6% to 83.4% for those not in care. For all vaccines at both ages, the risk for being under-vaccinated was higher for children in care (e.g., diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b at age 7: RR 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] (1.74-2.32). Even for children not in care who had characteristics similar to children in care, we found children in care had lower coverage. CONCLUSION: Children in care have consistently lower vaccine coverage than children not in care. Policies and practices should promote optimal access to vaccination for these children.
OBJECTIVE: To assess vaccine coverage for a cohort of children who have been in the care of the child welfare system compared to children in the general population. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used population-based administrative health data for a 2008 birth cohort of children from Alberta, Canada. We assessed coverage at ages 2 (n = 44,206) and 7 (n = 42,241) for three vaccines with different administration schedules for children in care (at any period before the age of assessment) and those who had never been in care, comparing them using risk differences and relative risks (RRs). We similarly assessed coverage for children not in care who shared characteristics of children in care. RESULTS: At age two, vaccination coverage for children in care ranged from 54.3% to 81.4%, depending on vaccine. In comparison, coverage for those not in care ranged from 74.2% to 87.4%. At age seven, coverage for children in care ranged from 53.1% to 65.3%, compared to 76.6% to 83.4% for those not in care. For all vaccines at both ages, the risk for being under-vaccinated was higher for children in care (e.g., diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b at age 7: RR 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] (1.74-2.32). Even for children not in care who had characteristics similar to children in care, we found children in care had lower coverage. CONCLUSION:Children in care have consistently lower vaccine coverage than children not in care. Policies and practices should promote optimal access to vaccination for these children.
Authors: Colleen M Davison; Susan J Thanabalasingam; Eva M Purkey; Imaan Bayoumi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-25 Impact factor: 3.390