The impact of sociodemographic variables on immunization coverage of children

The dependence of immunization coverage of children in the municipalities of Vienna and Klagenfurt on the sociodemographic variables of their parents is investigated. According to the Austrian vaccination program, the following vaccinations are recommended: diphtheria/tetanus (DT), measles/mumps (MM), poliomyelitis (oPV), tickborne encephalitis (TBE), tuberculosis (BCG) and whooping cough (P). The aim of the study is to identify risk groups, as are children that are not well covered. A cross-sectional study using vaccination certificates of second grade schoolchildren in Vienna and Klagenfurt was performed. A multivariate logistic regression model is used. In Vienna a representative sample of second grade schoolchildren (n = 585) was investigated, in Klagenfurt all second grade schoolchildren (n = 824). The investigation took place during the 1993/1994 schoolyear. In Vienna 34.8% of the children have all the vaccinations recommended, in Klagenfurt 59.6%. Children of Austrian mothers have the best immunization coverage, followed by children whose mothers are from 'other countries', 'not stated', and 'former Yugoslavia'. The immunization rate increases with the mother's increasing age. It is lower if the father is unemployed. The effects of the variables age and unemployment are not dependent on nationality. Children from Klagenfurt are more often completely immunized than children from Vienna. The mother's education does not have a significant influence. The Austrian immunization program is not sufficient to provide a high level of herd immunity. The immunization program recommends vaccinations but does not include a system for finding and recording riskgroups (non-immunized). To improve the situation eight steps needed for a setup of surveillance and containment system are recommended.