Persistent Disparities in Immunization Rates for the Seven-Vaccine Series Among Infants 19–35 Months in the United States

Abstract

Objective: The seven-vaccine series protects infants from several preventable diseases, yet disparities in its use remain in the United States. Methods: We assessed the seven-vaccine immunization rate and its predictors in infants 19-35 months using the National Immunization Survey from 2009 to 2018. Results: The seven-vaccine series rate was 72.8%, well short of the healthy people 2020 target of 90%. African American infants, infants born to mothers with less than high school education, and infants in families with an income below poverty were less likely to get the complete series. Conclusion: Disparities still exist in protecting infants from preventable diseases in the United States.

Community health worker intervention improves early childhood vaccination rates: results from a propensity-score matching evaluation

“…[ 3 ] Studies report disparities in vaccine uptake among children associated with markers of disadvantaged socioeconomic status, including poverty status, maternal education, insurance type, and WIC eligibility. [ 4 , 5 ] Moreover, the association between income and vaccine completion status have increased over time: in 2009, children in low-income households were 9% less likely to complete all seven vaccine series compared to families with household income above $75,000, and by 2018 this difference increased to 37%. [ 5 ] The overall early childhood vaccination rates in Arizona reflect the US average, but there are substantial disparities among Medicaid-enrolled children by county and race/ethnicity, and the rate of vaccine exemptions continue to rise.…”

Belief correlations with parental vaccine hesitancy: Results from a national survey

“… 2018 , 2020 ; Kulkarni et al. 2021 ). Education and income variation, mostly among white Americans, are more substantial drivers of low vaccination for childhood vaccines than is race/ethnicity (Kulkarni et al.…”

“…Education and income variation, mostly among white Americans, are more substantial drivers of low vaccination for childhood vaccines than is race/ethnicity (Kulkarni et al. 2021 ). In short, when the American health‐care system has provided good access, as is the case of childhood vaccinations, minority groups show similar vaccination rates to white Americans, or even higher in some cases.…”

“…In this study, we did not measure access to health care because, specifically for children in the United States, this access, although not without disparities, generally is excellent and equitably available. For example, Hispanic Americans have higher childhood vaccination rates than do non-Hispanic white Americans, while Black Americans are usually within 0-4 percentage points of the childhood vaccination rate for white Americans, depending on the vaccine (Hill et al 2018(Hill et al , 2020Kulkarni et al 2021). Education and income variation, mostly among white Americans, are more substantial drivers of low vaccination for childhood vaccines than is race/ethnicity (Kulkarni et al 2021).…”

“…For example, Hispanic Americans have higher childhood vaccination rates than do non-Hispanic white Americans, while Black Americans are usually within 0-4 percentage points of the childhood vaccination rate for white Americans, depending on the vaccine (Hill et al 2018(Hill et al , 2020Kulkarni et al 2021). Education and income variation, mostly among white Americans, are more substantial drivers of low vaccination for childhood vaccines than is race/ethnicity (Kulkarni et al 2021). In short, when the American health-care system has provided good access, as is the case of childhood vaccinations, minority groups show similar vaccination rates to white Americans, or even higher in some cases.…”