PARENTAL REASONS FOR DELAYED IMMUNIZATIONS IN CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED IN A WASHINGTON, DC, PUBLIC HOSPITAL

This prospective study reports the immunization status of uninsured or Medicaid-funded, high-risk urban preschool-aged children hospitalized at the District of Columbia General Hospital in Washington, DC, and t he reasons for delays as identified by their parents or guardians, The re were 602 consecutive admissions of preschool-aged children over a 2 9-month period, One hundred seventy-five questionnaires were adequatel y completed for analysis, Thirty-four percent of parents cited problem s that have social implications as the main reasons for their children 's lack of immunizations, It is important to note that missed opportun ities by health-care providers also contributed to the immunization de lay in this patient population, Based on these results, it is importan t that each patient encounter be used to ensure parent education so th at each child is appropriately immunized.