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Detection of delayed vaccinations: a new approach to visualize vaccine uptake
B Laubereau1, M Hermann, H J Schmitt
1Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Epidemiology, Institute for Social Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, München, Germany.
Insights
Early vaccination against pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is crucial. A 1999 survey found low uptake, but the Kaplan-Meier method effectively monitored vaccination timing in German children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis and invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections pose significant risks in infancy.
- Early vaccination is vital for preventing severe complications and mortality.
- Monitoring vaccination uptake is essential for public health programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the timing of pertussis and Hib vaccine uptake in German children.
- To evaluate the utility of the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method for monitoring vaccination schedules.
- To identify gaps in vaccination coverage.
Main Methods:
- A 1999 national coverage survey was conducted.
- Vaccination timing was assessed using conventional age thresholds.
- The Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was adapted to estimate immunization uptake over time.
Main Results:
- Only 6% of children received the pertussis primary vaccination course as recommended.
- Only 9% of children received the Hib primary vaccination course as recommended.
- The KM method provided estimates for achieving 50% and 90% coverage: pertussis at 6.6 and 16.3 months, Hib at 7.0 and 24.3 months.
Conclusions:
- The KM method is a valuable tool for monitoring vaccination program effectiveness.
- Low initial vaccination coverage for pertussis and Hib was observed.
- The KM method facilitates comparisons of vaccination uptake across different populations.
Abstract:
For the prevention of pertussis and invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections, each with a peak for mortality and serious complications in the first year of life, early vaccination is important and needs adequate monitoring. In a 1999 national coverage survey the timing of uptake of these vaccines in German children was therefore assessed conventionally at defined age thresholds and with a new adaptation of the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method estimating immunization uptake over time by 1 minus the survival function s(t). Only 6% and 9% of children were vaccinated against pertussis and Hib in accordance with the national recommended primary vaccination schedule. Coverage levels for the primary vaccination course of 50% and 90% were attained for pertussis after 6.6 and 16.3 months respectively and for Hib after 7.0 and 24.3 months. These estimates were only possible with the KM method which proved useful to monitor vaccination programmes and will allow the comparison of vaccination uptake in different populations.