The school-based immunization survey: an inexpensive tool for measuring vaccine coverage.
A school-based immunization survey was conducted among the 36 Rochester, NY, elementary schools (n = 5584 children) to determine (1) the vaccination rates at 2 years of age by type of primary care provider and (2) the accuracy of school immunization records (by comparing them with medical charts for children attending hospital-based clinics). These rates varied by provider type from 58% to 86% and were all below the national goal of 90%. In comparison with medical chart review, the school data had error rates of 15%; however, these errors occurred in both directions and were thus unbiased. School-based surveys include children who lack connections to the primary care system. With minimal effort these surveys can help identify populations in need of intervention.
Rodewald
L E
LE
Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, NY.
Roghmann
K J
KJ
Szilagyi
P G
PG
Winter
N L
NL
Campbell
J R
JR
Humiston
S G
SG
D015982:Bias; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003625:Data Collection; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000592:standards*; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*