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Immunization against whooping cough in Salford: a spatial analysis.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Public concern over vaccine safety in the 1970s led to decreased pertussis (whooping cough) immunization rates. Social class was a key factor in explaining spatial variations in vaccine uptake across Salford wards.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- The 1970s saw a significant decline in pertussis (whooping cough) immunization due to public concerns regarding vaccine safety.
- Historical debates surrounding pertussis vaccine safety, effectiveness, and its impact on disease notification rates are reviewed.
- Salford, Greater Manchester, exhibited notably low pertussis vaccine uptake rates within the North Western Regional Authority.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spatial variations in pertussis vaccine uptake at the ward level within Salford.
- To identify factors influencing these variations in vaccine coverage.
Main Methods:
- Ecological study analyzing ward-level data for vaccine uptake in Salford.
- Poisson regression was employed to model spatial variations in immunization rates.
- Dependent variables included children immunized against pertussis and those receiving diphtheria-tetanus vaccine without pertussis.
Main Results:
- Social class emerged as a significant predictor of pertussis vaccine uptake variations across Salford wards.
- Significant ward-to-ward differences in immunization rates were observed.
Conclusions:
- Social class influences pertussis immunization coverage, highlighting socioeconomic disparities.
- Further research at the clinic level is necessary to explore health worker/parental attitudes and accessibility barriers.