Implementing a seventh grade vaccination law: school factors associated with completion of required immunizations.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated school factors associated with successful implementation of a seventh grade vaccination requirement.


METHODS
The proportion of students vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine and measles containing vaccine was determined from records of schools in San Diego County, California. A school survey identified compliance strategies. Analysis identified factors associated with coverage.


RESULTS
In October 1999, 67.2% of 38,875 students had received the required vaccine doses. Of 315 schools, coverage was less than 40% in 60 schools and exceeded 80% in 111 schools. Factors associated with high coverage included private schools, early and frequent notice to parents, and, for public schools, higher overall socioeconomic status of students.


CONCLUSIONS
In preparation for a middle school vaccination requirement, early and frequent notification of parents improves coverage. Schools with a high percentage of low socioeconomic status students may require extra resources to support implementation.
Linton
Leslie S
LS
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego 92182, CA, USA. llinton@projects.sdsu.edu
Peddecord
K Michael
KM
Seidman
Robert L
RL
Edwards
Christine
C
Ross
Sandra
S
Gustafson
Kathleen
K
Averhoff
Francisco
F
Fishbein
Daniel B
DB
D000293:Adolescent; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017150:Public Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012573:School Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration