Publication
Title
Analysis of factors influencing vaccine uptake: perspectives from Belgium
Author
Abstract
Methods and Objectives: To estimate the infant vaccination coverage in Belgium, a random cluster sample according to the expanded program on immunization (EPI) cluster sampling technique was performed in 1999 in the Flemish (Flanders) and French (Wallonia) speaking community of Belgium. The objective was to document the infant vaccination coverage retrospectively in 1824-month-old children. In addition, the study offered the opportunity to assess some factors influencing vaccine uptake in infants. Results: In the Flemish community infant vaccination coverage could not be associated with any of the socio-demographic factors, with two exceptions: the province (county) and the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination. The main reason for not complying with the vaccination schedule was mainly carelessness on either parents or physicians side. In the French speaking community parents feel mostly themselves responsible for the non-vaccination or incomplete vaccination of their child, except for pertussis. For all vaccines, the attitude of the physician is mentioned as being very influential in the decision to vaccinate a child. Most of the socio-demographic factors showed no association with the infant vaccination coverage. Conclusion: The surveys in Flanders and Wallonia stress the importance of having information made available, and underline the role parents as well as physicians (and nurses) play in the infant immunization coverage.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Vaccine / International Society for Vaccines. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2002
ISSN
0264-410X
DOI
10.1016/S0264-410X(01)00307-3
Volume/pages
20 :S:1 (2002) , p. S5-S7
ISI
000172126100003
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 14.07.2010
Last edited 04.03.2024
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