A POPULATION-BASED SURVEY OF IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE IN CHILDREN AGED 2YEARS AND YOUNGER IN NEW-SOUTH-WALES

Objective: To provide a population-based baseline of immunisation rate s in children aged 2 years and younger in New South Wales (NSW) in 199 2, permitting more accurate evaluation of the efficacy of current prog rammes. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey of 622 hous eholds from areas resident to over 73% of all children aged 4 years an d younger in NSW. Results: Of the 322 households with children aged 3- 24 months, 212 (66%; confidence interval (CI): 57-75%) were up-to-date with the recommended immunisation schedule, 68 (21%; CI: 15-27%) had not commenced any immunisation, and 42 (13%; CI: 9-17%) were partially immunised. Ability to read English (odds ratio (OR): 5.43; CI: 2.37-1 2.44) and receipt of hepatitis B immunisation (OR: 2.54; Cl: 1.27-5.07 %) were highly associated with up-to-date immunisation; whilst a histo ry of any illnesses, frequent doctor visits in the past 12 months (OR: 0.47; CI: 0.27-0.85%) and older age (16-24 months) (OR: 0.26; Ci: 0.1 2-0.50%) were less likely to be associated with up-to-date immunisatio n, Conclusions: In 1992 NSW had low levels of up-to-date immunisation. Significantly, one-fifth of NSW families with children aged 3-24 mont hs did not have a record of any immunisations. This could not be expla ined by delay in commencing immunisation. Poor competency in reading E nglish was strongly associated with failure to immunise, suggesting th at there had been inadequate targeting of immunisation campaigns in no n-English-speaking communities.