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Immunizations in Children With Chronic Diseases: A State of the Science Review With Implications for Practice Change
Insights
Children with chronic illnesses have lower vaccination rates, increasing their risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. Addressing barriers like inadequate education and provider comfort is crucial for improving immunization coverage.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Immunology
Background:
- Over 25% of American children have chronic diseases.
- Children with chronic illnesses are at higher risk for complications from vaccine-preventable infections due to under-immunization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review vaccination rates in U.S. children with chronic illnesses.
- To identify barriers affecting immunization rates in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of PubMed and CINAHL databases.
- Included studies published between 2010 and 2020, focusing on U.S. children aged under 18.
- Analyzed 18 relevant publications.
Main Results:
- Children with chronic illnesses exhibit significantly lower vaccination rates compared to healthy peers.
- These children face elevated risks of severe outcomes if infected with preventable diseases.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate parent and provider education, nonmedical misconceptions, and provider discomfort are key barriers to timely vaccinations.
- Further research and discussion are needed to ensure all children, especially those with chronic conditions, are adequately protected by immunizations.
Introduction:
Chronic diseases afflict more than 25% of America's children, and it has been reported that some children with chronic illness are underimmunized, compounding their risks of complications from vaccine-preventable infections.
Method:
To better assess vaccination rates in this population, we systematically reviewed PubMed and CINAHL. Publications were included if specific to immunization rates in U.S. children aged < 18 years and were published between 2010 and 2020. A total of 18 studies were reviewed.
Results:
Compared with healthy children, children with chronic illnesses have significantly lower vaccination rates, and they face higher risks if they contract a preventable disease.
Discussion:
Barriers to on-time vaccinations included inadequate education for both parents and providers and misconceptions from nonmedical sources. In addition, lack of provider comfort serves to lower vaccination rates of children with chronic illness. This topic requires further research and discussion until all children are protected from preventable illness.
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