Matthew F. Daley1, Lori A Crane
2, Jennifer Barrow
3, Vijayalaxmi Chandramouli
3, Kellyn Pearson
3, John M. Stevenson
4, Stephen Berman
1, and Allison Kempe
1. (1) Dept. of Pediatrics, Univ. of Colo. HSC, Children's Outcomes Research Program, The Children's Hospital, 1056 E. 19th Avenue, B032, Denver, CO, USA, (2) Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado HSC, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, C245, Denver, CO, USA, (3) Children's Outcomes Research Program, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO, USA, (4) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS E-52, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) was licensed in the US in 1995, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in 2000. Several other new vaccines are anticipated in the next decade. However, little is known about parent decision-making about new or targeted vaccines.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine factors associated with parental intentions to immunize their children with new or targeted vaccines.
METHOD:
A telephone survey was conducted of parents of all newborn infants seen between October 2002 and February 2003 in 6 metro Denver pediatric offices. Parents were asked about their attitudes and experiences regarding vaccines in general, then questioned about 3 specific vaccines: PCV7; meningococcal vaccine (Men); and HepA. For each vaccine, parents were read an informational paragraph, based on the respective Vaccine Information Statement, and then asked whether they would give their child that vaccine. Multivariate logistic analyses were used to determine factors associated with parental intentions about these vaccines, with separate regression models developed for each vaccine.
RESULT:
Survey response rate was 75% (n=491 completed interviews). 79% of respondents rated their child's doctor's recommendation as very important in immunization decisions. After specific information was provided about each vaccine, 79% would definitely/probably give their child PCV7, 59% would give Men, and 57% would give HepA. In multivariate analyses, several parental factors were significantly associated (p<0.05) with parental intentions for all 3 vaccines. Parents who expressed a higher degree of concern about their child developing a serious pneumococcal, meningococcal, or hepatitis A infection would be more likely to give that respective vaccine to their child. Parents who would consider not giving a vaccine that their child's doctor recommended, and parents who had ever refused a recommended vaccine for themselves, would be less likely to give each vaccine to their child.
CONCLUSION:
A majority of parents would choose to vaccinate their child with PCV7, Men, and HepA. Parents at most risk of refusing new and targeted vaccines are those who are less concerned about vaccine-preventable diseases and those who have refused vaccines for themselves previously.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To understand the factors involved in parental decision-making about new or targeted vaccines.