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[Routine immunization of infants in the Canton of Zurich]
N Vranjes1, D Gyurech, J Schilling
1Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Universität Zürich.
Insights
Routine immunization rates in Zurich children show high coverage for diphtheria, tetanus, and polio vaccines. However, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates are concerningly low, particularly in foreign national children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on routine immunization coverage in Swiss children.
- Cross-sectional studies are crucial for assessing vaccination uptake and identifying disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunization rates of children aged 24-36 months in the Canton of Zurich.
- To identify potential gaps in vaccination coverage, especially among different nationalities.
Main Methods:
- A representative cross-sectional study involving 210 children aged 24-36 months in the Canton of Zurich.
- Data collected from official vaccination certificates, with a response rate of 84.8% for evaluated certificates.
- Analysis of vaccination rates based on nationality, comparing Swiss children with foreign nationals.
Main Results:
- High immunization rates (99.4%) for diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis vaccines.
- Lower rates for measles (80.3%), mumps (78.1%), and rubella (77.5%) vaccines.
- Significantly lower vaccination uptake observed in children of foreign nationalities (66.7% response rate) compared to Swiss children (90.6%).
Conclusions:
- While infant vaccination schedules in Zurich are generally well-adhered to, the coverage for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines is inadequate.
- Particular attention is needed for the lower vaccination rates among foreign national children, suggesting potential barriers to access or care.
- Public health initiatives should address these disparities to improve overall childhood immunization coverage.
Abstract:
At present there is a shortage of data regarding the rate of routine immunization in Swiss children. To address this deficit, a representative cross sectional study was conducted in the Canton of Zurich with 210 children aged between 24 and 36 months. Data was taken from the individual official vaccination certificates. 178 vaccination certificates (55.1% female and 44.9% male) were evaluated, corresponding to a response rate of 84.8%. With children of foreign nationalities, the response rate was 66.7%, whereas the response rate of Swiss children was 90.6% (p < 0.001). The response rate of children of a European nationality outside the European Union was especially poor (33.3%). The immunization rate with three doses of diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis vaccines was 99.4%, and that of the pertussis vaccine was 93.3%. With the vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella the rates were 80.3%, 78.1% and 77.5% respectively. Vaccination rate against Haemophilus influenzae type B was 74.7% with two doses, and 61.2% with three doses. The timing and the number of doses of the vaccines used for infants in the Canton of Zurich were satisfactory. However, the vaccination rate for measles, mumps and rubella is inadequate. Attention should be paid to this problem and also to possible insufficient care of foreign children.