Parental concerns and medical-seeking behavior after immunization

Objective: To examine demographics and immunization attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of parents who sought medical attention for a child due to an adverse event following immunization (AEFI). Methods: A sample of households that participated in the National Immunization Survey was re-contacted during 2001. This analysis was conducted in 2004 and 2005. Results: Of 2286 respondents, 223 (6.9%, weighted) sought medical attention for a child due to an AEFI. Compared with parents reporting no adverse event, parents who sought medical attention were less likely to be African American (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.16-0.75) or Hispanic (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.07-0.39) versus white, aged 35 years or older versus 25 to 34 (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.17-0.72), more likely to believe that immunizations cause minor side effects (AOR = 5.74, 95% CI = 2.99-11.00), report unwanted yet required childhood immunizations (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.45-8.66), not want a new baby to be fully immunized (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.25-9.67), report concern about immunization safety (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.07-4.05), believe that immunizations are dangerous (AOR = 3.56, 95 % CI = 1.14 - 11.13), and have a child missing two or more doses of three immunizations (measles-containing vaccine, DTaP/DTP, or hepatitis B) (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.17 - 4.55). Conclusions: This study suggests that research is needed to determine whether negative parental attitudes associated with a child's AEFI might be lessened by improving vaccine safety communication between physician and parent.