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Immunization uptake and parental perceptions in a strictly orthodox Jewish community in north-east London
C J Cuninghame1, C P Charlton, S M Jenkins
1Department of Community Child Health, St Leonards' Hospital, London.
Insights
Immunization uptake in Hackney's strictly orthodox Jewish community matches district rates. Parents value vaccines but desire improved access to immunization services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Community Health
Background:
- Assessing immunization uptake in specific ethnic communities is crucial for public health.
- The strictly orthodox Jewish community in Hackney presents a unique demographic for immunization assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine immunization uptake rates within the strictly orthodox Jewish community in Hackney.
- To investigate reasons for non-uptake and parental attitudes towards immunization and related services.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 100 children under 2.5 years from a cohort of 575 strictly orthodox Jewish children was selected.
- Immunization records were compared with district rates, and parental questionnaires were administered.
- Key outcomes measured included immunization uptake, reasons for non-uptake, and attitudes toward vaccination.
Main Results:
- Immunization uptake rates for diphtheria, pertussis, and MMR were comparable to district rates.
- All surveyed parents recognized the importance of immunization.
- Parental questionnaire response rate was 72%, with responders showing similar uptake to non-responders.
Conclusions:
- Immunization uptake in this community is not significantly different from the general district rates.
- Parents expressed positive views on vaccine value and safety but highlighted a need for better service accessibility.
- Health professionals should re-evaluate perceptions of ethnic minority vaccination needs based on empirical data.
Background:
We wished to ascertain immunization uptake rates in the strictly orthodox Jewish community in Hackney and to survey reasons for non-uptake and attitudes to immunization and immunization services within this community.
Methods:
A total of 575 strictly orthodox Jewish children, aged under 2.5 years, were identified from three general practices in the community, and a random sampling of 100 of these children was carried out. The sample uptake recorded by family doctors was compared with District uptake rates. A questionnaire was administered to parents. The main outcome measures were immunization uptake rate, reasons for non-uptake, and attitudes to immunization.
Results:
Percentage immunization uptake (95 per cent confidence intervals) was: third diphtheria 86 per cent (82-90 per cent); third pertussis 82 per cent (78-86 per cent); and MMR 79 per cent (75-85 per cent). District uptake rates for a cohort of the same age, and at the time of the study, were: third diphtheria 82 per cent; third pertussis 79 per cent; and MMR 83 per cent. Sixty-seven parents completed the questionnaire (72 per cent response) and their children's uptake was the same as for children of nonresponders. All parents thought immunization to be important.
Conclusions:
For all immunizations, uptake in the strictly orthodox Jewish community is not significantly different from that of the District. Responding parents had positive attitudes to the value and safety of immunizations but wished better access to services. Health professionals need to question their perceptions so that efforts to improve uptake amongst ethnic minority groups are based on facts and are responsive to identified needs.