Factors Associated with Vaccination Uptake among Young Children: A Follow-Up Study of 1799 Toddlers

Abstract

Childhood vaccination is crucial to protect young children from harmful infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the recent childhood immunization rate of recommended and additional vaccinations and identify the factors affecting the vaccination uptake of young children in Hong Kong. The self-administrated questionnaires were distributed to parents of toddlers aged 2 to 5. They were asked to provide information on (1) socioeconomic demographic factors; (2) experiences during pregnancy; and (3) the medical history of the toddler. A total of 1799 responses were collected. Children were more likely to be fully vaccinated when they were at a younger age (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.78, p < 0.001), the first child in the family (aOR second-born = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48–0.81, p < 0.001; aOR third-born = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.19–0.55, p < 0.001), had a higher household income (aOR HKD 15,000–HKD 29,999 = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.27–2.55, p = 0.001; aOR ≥ HKD 30,000 = 3.42, 95% CI: 2.39–4.90, p < 0.001; compared with <HKD 15,000), or with mothers in older age groups (aOR 35–39 years old = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.22–4.93, p = 0.012; aOR ≥ 40 = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.24–6.77, p = 0.014; compared with ≤ age 24). The uptake of any additional vaccination was 71%. Children who were older (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02–1.70, p = 0.036), the first child in the family (aOR second-born = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56–0.99, p = 0.043; aOR third-born = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–0.96, p = 0.034), with higher household income (aOR ≥ HKD 30,000 = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10–2.37, p = 0.016), were exposed to second-hand smoke from the father (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08–2.07, p = 0.016), experienced hospitalization (twice or more—aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04–1.99, p = 0.027), or were fully vaccinated (aOR: 2.76, 95% CI: 2.12–3.60, p < 0.001) were associated with a higher chance of taking an additional vaccine. To encourage the vaccination rate, more attention should be given to families with more children, low-income families, and younger mothers.

Parents’ Uptake and Willingness towards Recommended Vaccinations for Their Children with Underlying Chronic Medical Conditions in Italy

“…Finally, in this survey a higher vaccination rates were also observed among parents with a child aged 2-3 and 4-5 years compared to those whose child was aged 6 months-1 year. The finding that parents with an older child were more likely to have immunized him/her has already been reported in other studies [25][26][27]. This is not surprising because, as might be expected, older children have already received all ten mandatory vaccines included in the routine immunization schedule, hence parents could be more inclined to also vaccine their younger child for the recommended ones.…”

Vaccines Versus Covid-19 Vaccines: Maneuver Timeline of Development and Trial Designs

“…Moreover, immunizations can save family time, money, and significantly reduces financial burden to family and society [3,16,20]. It is well known that infections from few vaccine-preventable diseases can result in long-term disabilities and become a toll on economy and public welfare due to poor attendance at schools and colleges, lost time at work places, increased medical bills, and long-term disability care [20,21]. Additionally, such vaccination programs improve social benefits of equity and equality of healthcare and promote empowerment of women [3,22].…”

Immunization Coverage and Factors Associated with Failure to Complete Childhood Immunization

“…Despite these advances, the attainment still lags behind the WHO/UNICEF Global Immunization Vision and Strategy's 2010 target of 90%, underscoring the imperative for enhancing DPT, polio, and measles vaccine coverage to avert millions of infant deaths (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). This investigation primarily aims to evaluate the immunization coverage among children aged 12 to 23 months and to identify prevalent factors contributing to incomplete immunization (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). By pinpointing and addressing the reasons for immunization default, the study endeavors to ameliorate coverage rates.…”