Does primary immunisation status predict MMR uptake?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between primary immunisation status and MMR uptake.


METHODS
Nationally representative Millennium Cohort Study.


METHODS
Children born in the UK, 2000-2002.


METHODS
14,578 children with immunisation data.


METHODS
MMR status at 3 years, defined as immunised with MMR, immunised with at least one single antigen vaccine or unimmunised.


RESULTS
88.6% of children had been immunised with MMR, 5.2% had received at least one of the single antigen vaccines and 6.1% were unimmunised against measles, mumps and rubella at age 3 years. Children who were unimmunised with the primary vaccines at ages 9 months (1.2%, n = 168) and 3 years (0.4%, n = 67) were 13 (95% CI 10.8 to 14.7) and 17 (95% CI 14.6 to 19.7) times more likely to be unimmunised against measles, mumps and rubella compared with children who were fully immunised. They were also more likely to be immunised with at least one of the single antigen vaccines with risk ratios of 2.8 (95% 1.2 to 6.1) and 4.3 (95% CI 1.8 to 10.1). Similar but smaller associations were observed if children were partially immunised with the primary vaccines at 9 months (3.4%, n = 502) and 3 years (3.6%, n = 522) with risk ratios of 4.0 (95% 3.2 to 4.9) and 5.2 (95% 4.2 to 6.1) for no MMR immunisation, and 2.0 (95% C 1.1 to 3.6) and 1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.5) for single antigen vaccine use.


CONCLUSIONS
Children who remain unimmunised with primary vaccines are also more likely not to receive MMR. More work is needed to determine how best to target this group.
Pearce
A
A
Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
Elliman
D
D
Law
C
C
Bedford
H
H
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009108:Mumps Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D006113:United Kingdom
D008458:Measles Vaccine; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D009108:Mumps Vaccine