Ethnic differences in the rates of BCG vaccination.
An audit of the selective neonatal BCG immunisation programme showed that only 51% of eligible infants received the vaccination. Infants of Indian subcontinental origin (ISC) were significantly more likely to have been vaccinated than non-ISC infants (ISC 70% v non-ISC 29%). Greater awareness of the eligibility of non-ISC infants for BCG as well as simplification of the eligibility criteria are needed to help increase BCG vaccination rates.
Deshpande
S A
SA
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury SY3 8XQ, UK. deshpande@which.net
D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008485:Medical Audit; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D001500:BCG Vaccine