IMMUNIZATION STATUS AND REASONS FOR IMMUNIZATION DELAY AMONG CHILDREN USING PUBLIC-HEALTH IMMUNIZATION CLINICS

Objectives.-To determine whether children attending our local health department clinics were being immunized in a timely manner, and to investigate the reasons for children not being immunized on schedule. Design.-Cross-sectional research design. Setting.-Five Salt Lake City/County Health Department immunization clinics in Utah. Participants.-All patients presenting to the clinics for immunization from November 1990 to March 1991 when minor illness is prevalent. Interventions.-Data were gathered through interview and questionnaire. Measurements/Main Results.-Children were mostly white; they came from two-parent households with reasonably high incomes and high parental education level. Only four children were denied vaccination, all for inappropriate timing. None were denied for illness. More than 75% had postponed bringing their children in for immunization. The most common reason given for delay was minor illness in the child. Conclusions.-Even in this ''low-risk'' population, parental misperception regarding immunizations is a significant, contributing factor to low immunization rates. Public educational programs directed at increasing parental knowledge must be developed.