Reasons for incomplete immunisation among Australian children. A national survey of parents.
BACKGROUND
Incomplete immunisation among Australian children may be due to parents disagreeing with immunisation rather than medical contraindications or access issues.


METHODS
The parents of 1338 children recorded on the ACIR as incompletely immunised were telephoned and interviewed.


RESULTS
Of the 462 parents who confirmed their child was incompletely immunised, 270 (58%) disagreed with or were concerned about immunisation; 190 (70%) of these were concerned about vaccine side effects. The disagreeing 270 parents were significantly more likely to be highly educated and have a child with no vaccinations recorded on the ACIR. No vaccinations were recorded on the ACIR for 81% of children of both these parents, and of parents registered as conscientious objectors to immunisation. Together these two groups accounts for 2.5-3.0% of the annual birth cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to achieve the 95% immunisation rates necessary for disease control, tailored approaches to promote immunisation among parents are required.
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Sydney and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales. glendal@chw.edu.au
Glenda L
GL
Lawrence
Brynley P
BP
Hull
C Raina
CR
MacIntyre
Peter B
PB
McIntyre
D001315:Australia; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012042:Registries; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*