Widening inequalities in MMR vaccine uptake rates among ethnic groups in an urban area of the UK during a period of vaccine controversy (1994-2000).
We examined MMR vaccine uptake among ethnic groups in Birmingham, UK between 1994 and 2000, a period incorporating adverse MMR vaccine publicity. From 1994 to 2000 overall uptake: (1) fell significantly from 91.1% in 1994 to 89.8% (chi(2) for trend p<0.001) in 2000, (2) in Asian children significantly increased (chi(2) for trend p<0.001), and (3) in White children significantly decreased (chi(2) for trend p<0.001). Differences between ethnic groups with the highest (Asian) and the lowest (Black Caribbean) uptake rates increased from 2.1% in 1994 (p=ns) to 6.8% in 2000 (p<0.001). This study suggests underlying ethnic inequalities in MMR vaccine uptake and differential response to adverse vaccine publicity.
Hawker
Jeremy I
JI
Health Protection Agency, Ladywood House, Birmingham B2 4DY, UK.
Olowokure
Babatunde
B
Wood
Annette L
AL
Wilson
Richard C
RC
Johnson
Richard
R
D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D006113:United Kingdom; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine