Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
08:52

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

Vaccination coverage and sociodemographic determinants of measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in three different age

Corinne Vandermeulen1, Mathieu Roelants, Heidi Theeten

  • 1Centre for Youth Health Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Block D, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. corinne.vandermeulen@med.kuleuven.be

European Journal of Pediatrics
|January 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Achieving 95% measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage is crucial for elimination. While toddlers in Flanders approach this goal, documentation issues and lower rates in older children and adolescents require attention.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) European region aims to eliminate measles and rubella by 2010, necessitating 95% coverage for both doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
  • Belgian vaccination schedules recommend the first MMR vaccine at 12 months and a second dose at 10-12 years of age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the MMR vaccination coverage rates among toddlers, primary school children, and adolescents in Flanders, Belgium.
  • To identify sociodemographic factors associated with lower MMR vaccination coverage.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study utilizing a two-stage random cluster sampling method was conducted in Flanders, Belgium, in 2005.
  • The study included 1,500 toddlers (18-24 months), 900 primary school children (born in 1997), and 1,500 adolescents (born in 1991).
  • Data on MMR vaccination status and sociodemographic factors were collected through home interviews and verified with medical records.

Main Results:

  • Overall MMR first-dose coverage was 94.0% in toddlers, 88.0% in 7-year-olds, and 80.6% in adolescents.
  • Documentation of the second MMR dose was a concern, with only 74.6% of adolescents having proof of both vaccinations.
  • Lower coverage was associated with factors such as single/divorced parents, larger families, non-Belgian parental origin, lower parental education or unemployment, low family income, and vaccination by a general practitioner.

Conclusions:

  • The target MMR vaccination coverage of 95% is nearly achieved in toddlers in Flanders.
  • Vaccination documentation is a significant issue in older age groups, potentially leading to underestimated coverage rates.
  • Children from less privileged backgrounds require targeted interventions to improve MMR vaccination uptake and ensure disease elimination goals are met.

More Related Videos

Fabrication of Pulsatile Polymeric Microparticles Encapsulating Rabies Antigen07:44

Fabrication of Pulsatile Polymeric Microparticles Encapsulating Rabies Antigen

Published on: May 12, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Vaccines01:21

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...