Predictors of Vaccination Rates During a Mass Meningococcal Vaccination Program on a College Campus

Abstract

Factors contributing to students' compliance with mass vaccination programs during meningococcal outbreaks have not been well described. A 1997 mass vaccination campaign at Michigan State University provided an opportunity to study such factors. Of 34,024 students in the target population, 17,538 (51.5%) were vaccinated in 5 days. Vaccination rates were higher for women (47.9%) than for men (43.1%) and higher for on-campus residents (65.3%) than for off-campus residents (35.6%). For each year of students' age beyond 19, the adjusted odds of vaccination were reduced by 0.82. Adjusted odds ratios for vaccination, with White students as the reference group at 1.0, were 1.33 for Asian American students, 0.97 (not significant) for Hispanic students, 0.82 for African American students, and 0.80 for Native American students. Students from the Colleges of Business, Engineering, Communication, and Natural Science had the highest vaccination rates; those from the College of Arts and Letters had the lowest rates.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine Uptake, Measured by Michigan’s Immunization Registry

“…In 1999, 13%, 46%, and 60%, respectively, of incoming Brown University (Providence, RI) freshmen had received MPSV4 (an educational intervention occurred prior to students' arrival in 2000 and 2001) [17]. Other researchers have found that mass immunization campaigns on college campuses following real or perceived meningitis outbreaks have immunized 51% to 87% of the targeted population [18]. In this context, the magnitude of the estimate provided here seems reasonable, recognizing that it is an underestimate.…”

The Role of Schools in Strengthening Delivery of New Adolescent Vaccinations

“…Coverage increases have been reported after use of school-based vaccination clinics during outbreaks of measles, meningococcal meningitis, and varicella. [22][23][24] However, the role of new adolescent vaccines in controlling outbreaks may be limited, because many of the diseases they prevent have long incubation periods. PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS However worthy, vaccination may not be a top priority for the administrators and educators who establish school health priorities.…”

Immunizations for the College Student: a Campus Perspective of an Outbreak and National and International Considerations

“…The task force's recommendation to vaccinate was not based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for an outbreak. The CDC defines a meningococcal outbreak only when there are three cases with group identical strains during a 3-month period [5]. The recommendation arose because multiple cases of confirmed meningococcal disease and other suspected cases had disrupted the functioning of the University to the point where the majority of task force members felt that the intervention was necessary.…”

“…Vaccination was offered for 5 days at one of the gymnasiums on campus; details of this program and characteristics of the students who chose to receive the vaccine have been previously published [5]. In those 5 days, 17,937 students and 1314 staff and dependents were vaccinated.…”