Disparities in varicella vaccine coverage in the absence of public funding.
Varicella vaccine has been licensed in Canada since December 1998 but not provided free in all provinces. Through a cross-sectional telephone survey to a random sample of parents, we assessed factors associated with varicella vaccine uptake in the absence of public funding. Parents of children aged 2-3 years (Group I) and 6-7 years (Group II) were contacted between March and May 2003 in British Columbia, Canada. Response rate was 82% (Group I=571; Group II=704). Among susceptible children, varicella vaccine coverage was 21% (95% CI 18-25%) and 28% (95% CI 22-33%), respectively. There were significant disparities in vaccine coverage based on income and residence. Physician or nurse recommendation was a strong determinant of vaccine uptake as were belief in the safety and efficacy of vaccine. Among parents of susceptible children, 59% (343/582) would vaccinate their child if it were provided free; 25% (148/582) were undecided.
Gustafson
Reka
R
Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4R4.
Skowronski
Danuta M
DM
D001955:British Columbia; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000191:economics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine