Journal Article

Timeliness of Receipt of Early Childhood Vaccinations Among Children of Immigrants – Minnesota 2016

By Leeds M, Muscoplat M

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Receiving the recommended childhood vaccinations on schedule is the best way to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccination coverage in the United States for children aged 19–35 months exceeds 90% for most recommended childhood vaccines. Previous studies have found that few children receive all their vaccinations on time; however, few studies have examined whether a mother’s country of birth affects her child’s up-to-date vaccination status at various ages.

What is added by this report?

Fewer than half of children born in Minnesota in 2011–2012 were up-to-date on their immunizations at 18 months, and only 70% were caught up by 36 months. Up-to-date vaccination status was lower among children with at least one foreign-born parent compared with that of children with two U.S.-born parents, and rates varied by mother’s country of origin. Children with mothers born in Somalia and Eastern Europe had the lowest rates of up-to-date vaccination.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Refugees and immigrants to the United States from certain regions might have greater difficulties getting their children vaccinated in a timely manner, compared with U.S.-born parents and parents from some other countries. Increased outreach to Eastern European and Somali immigrant, migrant, and refugee populations might benefit children in these communities by improving on-time receipt of recommended vaccinations.

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Date Added
November 27, 2017

Citation
Leeds M, Muscoplat M 'Timeliness of Receipt of Early Childhood Vaccinations Among Children of Immigrants - Minnesota 2016'. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Vol. 66, Issue 42, pp. 1125-1129. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6642a1.htm