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[Catamnestic studies of the vaccination status of 7,176 children in Bochum]
1Universitäts-Kinderklinik, St. Josef Hospital, Bochum.
Insights
Many children lack complete childhood immunizations, particularly booster shots. Socioeconomic status and ethnicity impact vaccination rates, highlighting a need for targeted public health outreach.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Analysis of 7,176 children hospitalized between 1978-1983 at the Children's Hospital of the University of Bochum.
- Utilized case histories and vaccination certificates to assess immunization status.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the vaccination status of children in Bochum.
- Identify gaps in routine immunizations, especially booster doses.
- Determine correlations between vaccination rates and socioeconomic factors.
Summary:
- Complete age-related vaccination status was found in less than 50% for diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis.
- A quarter of children received no vaccinations for these diseases; half had significant gaps.
- Booster vaccinations were frequently missed, particularly in the recommended age groups.
- Measles and mumps vaccination rates were increasing in younger children, while pertussis vaccination rates declined.
- Vaccination coverage significantly correlated with socioeconomic status, with higher rates among children of university graduates.
- Foreign worker families exhibited significantly lower vaccination rates compared to German children, despite increased infection exposure risks.
Impact:
- Highlights critical deficiencies in routine childhood immunization programs.
- Identifies specific demographic groups (lower socioeconomic status, foreign workers) requiring targeted vaccination information and promotion.
- Underscores the importance of timely booster vaccinations for sustained immunity.
- Provides data to inform public health strategies aimed at improving vaccine uptake and preventing infectious diseases.
Abstract:
7176 children, who were hospitalized between 1978 and 1983 in the Children's Hospital of the University of Bochum were analysed by the use of case histories and vaccination certificates for their status of vaccination. An age related complete vaccination status was found only in 46.7% for diphtheria, in 55.3% for tetanus and in 48.1% for poliomyelitis. A quarter of all children had not received any vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus or poliomyelitis. Considerable gaps for at least one of these three vaccinations were found in half of all children. It was striking that especially the booster vaccinations for diphtheria in the sixth and seventh year and for tetanus and poliomyelitis in the tenth or eleventh year were frequently missed. While vaccinations for measles and mumps were increasing in younger children a general decrease for pertussis vaccination was noted. Vaccination quotes and the socio-economic situation of the families were statistically significantly correlated. Highest rats were found in children from university graduates with a decreasing tendency towards a lower socio-economic level. The situation for foreign worker families was significantly worse than for German children. However especially for these children standard vaccinations are very important as visits in there home countries produce a high incidence of exposure to infections. The general aim of the study was to find out those groups where special informations and propagations for vaccination are necessary.