The effect of race and residence on the receipt of childhood immunizations: 1993-2001.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if rural minority children ages 3-71 months are more likely than similar aged urban minorities to have delays in their immunization status.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for the years 1993-2001.


RESULTS
There were no substantial differences between the up-to-date immunization status of children living in metropolitan areas compared to children living in rural areas. There does appear to be a delay in introducing new vaccines into rural areas compared to metropolitan areas during the first 2 years of the vaccine recommendation. There were no significant differences in immunization status between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics living in metropolitan and rural areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Rural minority children are no more likely than other children to have delayed immunizations.
Steyer
Terrence E
TE
Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 295 Calhoun Street, Box 250192, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. steyerte@musc.edu
Mainous
Arch G
AG
Geesey
Mark E
ME
D002675:Child, Preschool; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population