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What do we know about 7vPCV coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children?
Brynley P Hull1, Peter B McIntyre
1National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales. brynleyh@chw.edu.au
Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report
|October 6, 2004
Summary
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV) uptake in Indigenous Australian children under two years old remains below 50% in most states. Coverage varied by jurisdiction, with improvements noted over time in some areas.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Immunisation
- Paediatrics
Background:
- A publicly funded pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV) program was introduced for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in 2001.
- Limited data exists on the vaccine uptake among this specific population group.
- Understanding vaccine coverage is crucial for public health initiatives targeting Indigenous children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the rollout and utilisation of the 7vPCV vaccine in Australia.
- To estimate the immunisation coverage of the 7vPCV vaccine for Indigenous children at 12 months of age.
- To provide the first national assessment of 7vPCV immunisation coverage among Indigenous Australian children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of four consecutive 3-month birth cohorts born between October 2001 and September 2002.
- Assessment of immunisation status for the third dose of 7vPCV at 12 months of age.
- Examination of coverage trends across different Australian jurisdictions.
Main Results:
- The largest absolute number of 7vPCV doses were administered in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and New South Wales.
- Coverage estimates generally increased over the study period for most jurisdictions, but remained below 50% nationally, except in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia.
- Coverage remained relatively constant in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first national measure of 7vPCV immunisation coverage among Indigenous children in Australia.
- Jurisdictional variations in coverage were observed, highlighting the need for targeted strategies.
- Improved recording of vaccinations and Indigenous status on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register is expected to enhance future coverage estimate validity.