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Vaccination coverage estimates by EPI cluster sampling survey of children (18-24 months) in Flanders, Belgium

A Vellinga1, A M Depoorter, P Van Damme

  • 1Free University of Brussels, Community Medicine, Belgium. akke.vellinga@ua.ac.be

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|July 13, 2002
PubMed

Insights

In 1999, Flanders, Belgium, assessed childhood vaccination coverage. While polio vaccine coverage was high, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B (HB), and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) showed lower rates, especially in one province.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Public Health
  • Vaccinology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vaccination is crucial for child health, with mandatory and recommended schedules varying by region.
  • Assessing vaccination coverage is essential for identifying public health needs and intervention strategies.
  • Understanding factors influencing vaccine uptake is key to improving immunization rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the vaccination coverage rates for children aged 18-24 months in Flanders, Belgium.
  • To evaluate coverage for specific vaccines including polio, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B (HB), and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR).
  • To identify any sociodemographic factors or regional disparities associated with vaccination coverage.

Main Methods:

  • A random cluster sample of 1110 children aged 18-24 months was selected across 89 municipalities in Flanders.
  • Data was collected through interviews with parents by professional interviewers.
  • Analysis was performed on data from 1005 children, utilizing the EPI cluster sampling technique.

Main Results:

  • High coverage was observed for polio (96%).
  • Recommended vaccines showed lower coverage: DTP (89%), Hib (78%), HB (68%), and MMR (83%).
  • One province exhibited significantly lower coverage for DTP, Hib, HB, and MMR compared to other provinces, with no sociodemographic factors linked to overall coverage.

Conclusions:

  • Despite high polio vaccination rates, coverage for several recommended childhood vaccines in Flanders falls short of optimal levels.
  • Significant regional disparities in vaccine coverage were identified, highlighting a need for targeted interventions.
  • Enhanced information dissemination for both parents and healthcare providers is necessary to improve vaccination uptake and address knowledge gaps.
Abstract

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