Introduction
This study focused on how first-time mothers decide or intend to decide with respect
to the recommended childhood immunization schedule.
Methods
This was the baseline survey of a larger longitudinal survey. Data were collected
between June and September 2014 from 200 first-time mothers in their second trimester
of pregnancy to examine vaccine-related knowledge, perceptions, intentions, and information-seeking
behavior.
Results
Data were analyzed between January and June 2015. Seventy-five percent planned to
have their child receive all the vaccinations consistent with the recommended childhood
immunization schedule. Although participants expressed interest in childhood vaccine
information, most had not received information directly from a primary care provider.
One third reported receiving such information from their obstetrician/gynecologist
but only about half of those were “very satisfied” with the information they received.
About 70% indicated they were not familiar with the recommended vaccination schedule
and number of routinely recommended vaccines. Familiarity with common vaccine education
messages varied widely. Women who indicated they were planning to delay one or more
recommended vaccinations were most likely to rely on Internet searches for childhood
vaccine information.
Conclusions
Overall, respondents had relatively positive beliefs and perceptions regarding childhood
vaccines, which were associated with intentions to get their newborn vaccinated as
recommended. However, most who were planning to delay recommended vaccinations or
were undecided relied primarily on socially available sources of vaccine information,
rather than information provided by a healthcare professional. Improved access to
vaccine information from healthcare professionals could foster better vaccine-related
knowledge and favorably impact vaccination decisions.
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to American Journal of Preventive MedicineAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Modeling parents’ and nurses’ relationships.West J Nurs Res. 2008; 30: 734-758https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945907312978
- Individuals and community risks of measles and pertussis associated with personal exemptions to immunization.JAMA. 2000; 284: 3145-3150https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.284.24.3145
CDC Health Alert Network. U.S. multi-state measles outbreak, December 2014-January 2015. emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00376.asp. Accessed January 23, 2015.
Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Type B disease in five young children --- Minnesota, 2008. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58e0123a1.htm.
- Prevalence of parental concerns about childhood vaccines: the experience of primary care physicians.Am J Prev Med. 2011; 40: 548-555https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.12.025
- Exploring the choice to refuse or delay vaccines: a national survey of parents of 6- through 23-months olds.Acad Pediatr. 2012; 12: 375-383https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2012.06.007
- Vaccine attitudes, concerns and information sources reported by parents of young children: results from the 2009 HealthStyles survey.Pediatrics. 2011; 127: S92-S99https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-1722n
Kennedy A, LaVail K, Basket M, Nowak G. Assessing the current state of immunization attitudes in the United States: results from the 2011 ConsumerStyles survey. First National Immunization Conference Online. CDC. March 26-28, 2012.
- Parents with doubts about vaccines: which vaccines and reasons why.Pediatrics. 2008; 122: 718-725https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-0538
- Parental vaccine safety concerns in 2009.Pediatrics. 2010; 125: 654-659https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1962
- Parent and provider perspectives on immunization: are providers overestimating parental concerns?.Vaccine. 2014; 32: 579-584https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.11.076
- Maternal characteristics associated with vaccination of young children.Pediatrics. 2003; 111: 1215-1218
- Qualitative analysis of mothers’ decision-making about vaccines for infants: the importance of trust.Pediatrics. 2006; 117: 1532-1541https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-1728
- Mothers’ knowledge and information needs relating to childhood immunizations.Issues in Compr Pediatr Nurs. 2007; 30: 39-53https://doi.org/10.1080/01460860701366666
- Neoliberal mothering and vaccine refusal: imagined gated communities and the privilege of choice.Gend Soc. 2014; 28: 679-704https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243214532711
- Postpartum mothers’ attitudes, knowledge and trust regarding vaccination.Matern Child Health. 2008; 12: 766-773https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-007-0302-4
- Mothers take physicians’ advice on vaccines.JAMA. 2010; 304: 2577-2578https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.1785
- Prenatal immunization education: the pediatric prenatal visit and routine obstetric care.Am J Prev Med. 2007; 33: 211-213https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2007.04.027
- Perinatal immunization education improves immunization rates and knowledge: a randomized controlled trial.Prev Med. 2013; 56: 398-405https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.03.003
- National, state, and selected local area vaccination coverage among children aged 19-35 months – United States, 2013.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014; 63: 741-748
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 18, 2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
