Accuracy of parental reporting of immunization
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026
An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime
Published on: May 3, 2016
Hossam H M AbdelSalam1, Myron M Sokal
1Department of Pediatrics, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11212, USA.
Insights
Parental reporting of childhood immunization status is highly reliable, with 98% accuracy. This suggests healthcare providers can trust parental statements during history-taking for vaccination records.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Accurate immunization records are crucial for child health and disease prevention.
- Parental recall of vaccination status is often used in clinical settings but its reliability requires validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy and reliability of parents' self-reported immunization status for their children.
- To determine if parental reports align with documented immunization records.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 100 hospitalized children and their parents.
- Comparison of parental reports of immunization status against official immunization records and primary care physician verification.
- Data collected from October to November 2001 at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center.
Main Results:
- Ninety-eight percent of parents accurately reported their child's immunization status.
- Only 2 out of 98 parents who stated their children were up-to-date were found to have incomplete vaccination records.
- The study confirmed high parental awareness and accuracy regarding childhood immunizations.
Conclusions:
- Parental reporting of children's immunization status is a reliable source of information for healthcare providers.
- Trustworthy parental recall can streamline history-taking processes for vaccination status.
- The importance of maintaining a consistent relationship with a primary care physician for accurate health records was emphasized.
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to evaluate the reliability of parental reporting of their children's immunization status. One hundred eight consecutively admitted children to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center were sampled during October and November 2001. Review of the immunization record, recording the immunizations documented, and matching it with the parents' report was done for children in whom the parents brought the cards. The primary care physician was contacted to verify the immunization status for children for whom the parents did not bring the card during hospitalization or for whom there was a mismatch between the card and the parents' report. The study included 100 patients (8 were excluded). Forty-nine patients had their immunization cards on admission; 18 brought the cards later during the hospital stay. Of the 100 parents questioned, 98 stated that their children are up to date and 2 stated that their children are missing vaccinations. Of the 98 parents who stated that their children are up to date, 2 were found not to be up to date. Ninety-eight percent of parents were aware of their children's immunization status and were accurate with their reporting. Parents are knowledgable of their children's immunization status (98% parental accuracy) and their statements can be relied on during history-taking. It is important for each child to have a primary care physician.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...