PIN81 FACTORS INFLUENCING MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINATION UPTAKE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

CDC recommends vaccination with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine for all preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old, with a booster dose at 16 years old. The objective of this study is to examine the association between adolescent (13–17years) Meningococcal vaccination uptake and the key factors influencing the uptake rates of Meningococcal vaccination. The 2016 NIS-Teen data, an annual survey conducted by the CDC to monitor vaccination uptake in the United States is used for this study. Appropriate national weights were applied for the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the relationship between various factors and meningococcal vaccine uptake. A sample of 23,943 adolescents were studied. Male adolescents are 0.03 times less likely to get meningococcal vaccines; adolescents covered by private health insurance were 0.11 times, uninsured were 0.37 times less likely to get meningococcal vaccines; Low income groups were 1.06 times more likely to get vaccine; Hispanic teens were 1.2 times more likely, black teens were 1.16 times more likely to get meningococcal vaccine. Mothers educated more than 12 years were 0.18 times less likely to get their children vaccinated. Adolescents from North-eastern regions of the United States were 1.30 times more likely; adolescents from mid-west regions were 0.10 times less likely; adolescents from west regions were 0.17 times less likely to get vaccinated. Given the low meningococcal vaccination rates for adolescents in the US, these results provide important evidence to inform public health interventions to increase meningococcal vaccination among the target groups which are less likely to get vaccinated. Also, knowing the sociodemographic and community level factors associated with meningococcal vaccination uptake status, health planners can better plan strategies to improve meningococcal vaccination in their local settings.