PRIMARY IMMUNIZATIONS IN LIVERPOOL .2. IS THERE A GAP BETWEEN CONSENTAND COMPLETION

The association between completion of primary diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella and polio immunisation courses in Liverpool and five sociodemographic factors, namely the child's sex , position in the family, family type, migration into Liverpool since birth, and local deprivation was examined. Only 68% of children were f ully immunised by their second birthday. The immunisation rate for per tussis was 74%, compared with 85-89% for the other antigens. Children who had older siblings, were recorded as living with one parent, had m oved into Liverpool or who lived in areas of high deprivation were les s likely to complete the full set of antigens and individual courses. Boys were significantly less likely than girls to be fully immunised a gainst pertussis. Differences in the completion of pertussis immunisat ion associated with the child's sex and with local deprivation were a direct reflection of differences in rates of parental consent. Parenta l consent did not wholly account for significantly lower rates among c hildren with older siblings, those living with a lone parent, and thos e who had moved into Liverpool, however. This may reflect the practica l difficulties of attending immunisation clinics. To achieve immunisat ion targets, a more flexible and targeted approach is required of heal th professionals. This may include the careful targeting of efforts to increase consent and the improvement of access to immunisations by pr oviding domiciliary services or by opportunistic immunisation of infan ts when they are in contact with primary and community health care ser vices.