Evaluation of measles mumps, and rubella vaccine coverage in 3 years old children in 12 French countees. Time-trends and related factors

Background: The aims of our study were to estimate the measle-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage in 3 years old children in 12 French countees, to d ocument the evolution between 1997 and 1999 in two groups of 6 countees (pi lot group and control group) before and after the implementation of promoti on programmes in the pilot group, and to identify, factors related to measl e-mumps-rubella vaccination. Methods: Two telephone surveys were carried out in 1997 and 1999 among chil dren randomly selected in the birth rolls of 12 French countees. Parents of 3 years old children were interviewed on measle-mumps-rubella vaccination, knowledge and opinions on vaccinations, utilisation of health care and soc io-demographic characteristics. Results: The participation rate was 97% in both surveys. Among the 7382 res pondent parents, 98% had immediate access to the child's medical file and c ould document the vaccine status. The vaccine coverage did not increase sig nificantly between 1997 and 1999 (86.7% versus 87.2%), both in control (89. 3% vs. 90.2%) and pilot groups (84.3% vs. 84.3%). A logistic regression mod el showed that several factors were independently and significantly related to measle-mumps-rubella vaccination (utilisation of homeopathic medicines, mother's age, number of children, physician practitioner or pediatrician) and opinion on vaccinations). Conclusion: Our study shows that there is a stagnation of vaccine coverage in several French countees, which makes unlikely the national objective of viruses eradication. This epidemiological situation makes very likely outbr eaks of measles, mumps and rubella in these countees. National and local pi lot programmes did not succeed to promote vaccination in countees with a lo w measle-mumps-rubella vaccine coverage. Our study identified sub-groups of parents who should be targeted by promotion programmes.