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Understanding variation in measles-mumps-rubella immunization coverage - a population based study

Understanding variation in measles-mumps-rubella immunization coverage - a population based study
Understanding variation in measles-mumps-rubella immunization coverage - a population based study
Background: Coverage of the Measles–Mumps–Rubella combined vaccine (MMR) has declined in recent years in the UK, following adverse publicity about possible links between the vaccine, autism, and Crohn's disease. The objectives of this study were to assess geographical variation in trends in MMR coverage and to identify the factors affecting MMR uptake at population level. Methods: We conducted an ecological study of immunization coverage by second birthday, based on routinely collected data from 1993–2004 for England. Trends in MMR uptake were assessed in 95 District Health Authorities in England over the study period. We investigated the relationship between MMR immunization uptake and deprivation, ethnicity, education, population density, rurality, and socioeconomic class. Results: Since 2000, MMR coverage has declined significantly in virtually all areas of England. Population density and deprivation were both strongly correlated with low MMR uptake. The decline in coverage since 1993–94 was significantly related to the proportion of educated population and was greater in densely populated areas. Conclusion: Decline in MMR coverage now affects most areas of England. The lowest rates of MMR coverage remain in urban areas, particularly in inner cities, which also tend to show high levels of deprivation. Public health resources should continue to target inner city areas, as well as focus on the concerns of the better educated about vaccine safety.
censuses, geographic information systems, immunization, measles
1101-1262
137-142
Wright, James A.
94990ecf-f8dd-4649-84f2-b28bf272e464
Polack, Clare
0f8842f7-c10e-45fc-8abc-de49990a61d6
Wright, James A.
94990ecf-f8dd-4649-84f2-b28bf272e464
Polack, Clare
0f8842f7-c10e-45fc-8abc-de49990a61d6

Wright, James A. and Polack, Clare (2006) Understanding variation in measles-mumps-rubella immunization coverage - a population based study. European Journal of Public Health, 16 (2), 137-142. (doi:10.1093/eurpub/cki194).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background: Coverage of the Measles–Mumps–Rubella combined vaccine (MMR) has declined in recent years in the UK, following adverse publicity about possible links between the vaccine, autism, and Crohn's disease. The objectives of this study were to assess geographical variation in trends in MMR coverage and to identify the factors affecting MMR uptake at population level. Methods: We conducted an ecological study of immunization coverage by second birthday, based on routinely collected data from 1993–2004 for England. Trends in MMR uptake were assessed in 95 District Health Authorities in England over the study period. We investigated the relationship between MMR immunization uptake and deprivation, ethnicity, education, population density, rurality, and socioeconomic class. Results: Since 2000, MMR coverage has declined significantly in virtually all areas of England. Population density and deprivation were both strongly correlated with low MMR uptake. The decline in coverage since 1993–94 was significantly related to the proportion of educated population and was greater in densely populated areas. Conclusion: Decline in MMR coverage now affects most areas of England. The lowest rates of MMR coverage remain in urban areas, particularly in inner cities, which also tend to show high levels of deprivation. Public health resources should continue to target inner city areas, as well as focus on the concerns of the better educated about vaccine safety.

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More information

Published date: April 2006
Keywords: censuses, geographic information systems, immunization, measles
Organisations: Geography & Environment, Medical Education, PHEW – S (Spatial analysis and modelling), Population, Health & Wellbeing (PHeW), Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 60854
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/60854
ISSN: 1101-1262
PURE UUID: 82047e9d-355e-4cc3-a20c-493d04723c29
ORCID for James A. Wright: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8842-2181

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 10 Sep 2008
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 03:41

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