Vaccination Status Of Children Research Articles

Vaccination status among children in an urban area and its association with risk factors and some parent health practices: A cross-sectional study.

The study aims to determine the vaccination status of children and evaluate the relationship between vaccination rates, vaccine attitudes, and some parental health practices. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 674 mothers. Data were collected using a survey evaluating vaccine characteristics, some infant health practices, and The Public Attitude Toward Vaccination Scale-Health Belief Model. Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and logistic regression analysis were used. 80.2% of children were fully vaccinated. The rate of non or under-vaccination was higher in the group that did not regularly undergo follow-up for 0-2-year-old children, did not fully have health screenings, did not use vitamin D and iron supplements, and used alternative medicine. Moreover, the duration of breast milk feeding, the transition to supplementary food, and the duration of vitamin D use in the non-fully vaccinated group were lower than in the fully vaccinated group (p<.05). The increase in maternal education period and severity and benefit attitude scores of vaccine attitude were the factors that decreased the rate of non-fully vaccination. The increase in barrier scores toward vaccines increased the rate of non or under-vaccination. Mothers who have negative attitudes toward vaccination have negative behaviors in health practices and screenings on infant/child health.

Measles second dose vaccine uptake and its associated factors among children aged 24–35 months in Northwest Ethiopia, 2022

Measles is a major public health problem in under-five children, leading to lifelong complications. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the magnitude of measles second-dose vaccine uptake and its determinants among children aged 24–35 months in Northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 children aged 24–35 months in Northwest Ethiopia between January 2022 and February 2022. A simple random sampling technique was used to access study subjects. A binary logistic regression model was employed. An adjusted odd ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a p-value < 0.05 was used to declare significant predictors of measles second dose vaccine uptake. The magnitude of the measles second dose vaccine uptake among children aged 24–35 months was 41.39%. Postnatal care visits (AOR: 4.78, CI 1.49, 15.34), child vaccination status of other scheduled vaccines (AOR: 3.88, CI 2.23, 6.73), awareness of the measles second dose vaccine and its schedule (AOR: 8.924, CI 5.27, 15.09), and distance from the vaccination center (AOR: 0.21, CI 0.06, 0.77) were significantly associated with measles second dose vaccine uptake. The uptake of measles second dose vaccine in the study area was low. Therefore, health workers and other partners should initiate awareness creation programs for mothers/caretaker to improve the uptake of measles second dose vaccine.

Parental Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake for Children over 5 Years of Age in Texas.

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children, yet parental hesitancy towards vaccinating children against the virus persists. We conducted a telephone-administered weighted survey in Texas to examine parents' sociodemographic factors and medical conditions associated with COVID-19 vaccination intention for parents with unvaccinated children ages 5-17 years. We collected responses from 19,502 participants, of which 4879 were parents of children ages 5-17 years. We conducted multiple logistic regression with Lasso-selected variables to identify factors associated with children's vaccination status and parents' intention to vaccinate their children. From the unweighted sample, less than half of the parents (46.8%) had at least one unvaccinated child. These parents were more likely to be White, English-speaking, not concerned about illness, privately insured, and unvaccinated for COVID-19 themselves (p < 0.001). In the adjusted regression model, parents who were unvaccinated (vs. having COVID-19 booster, aOR = 28.6) and financially insecure (aOR = 1.46) had higher odds of having unvaccinated children. Parents who were Asian (aOR = 0.50), Black (aOR = 0.69), Spanish-speaking (aOR = 0.57), concerned about illness (aOR = 0.63), had heart disease (aOR = 0.41), and diabetes (aOR = 0.61) had lower odds of having unvaccinated children. Parents who were Asian, Black, Hispanic, Spanish-speaking, concerned about illness for others, and vaccine-boosted were more likely to have vaccination intention for their children (p < 0.001). Children's vaccination is essential to reduce COVID-19 transmission. It is important to raise awareness about the value of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination while considering parents' sociodemographic and medical circumstances.

Epidemiological study of the occurrence of measles in children aged 0-15 years in the Banalia Health Zone (DR Congo) during 2022

Introduction: In 2021, the Banalia Health Zone experienced two measles epidemics with a vaccine completeness rate of 69% according to data provided by the Tshopo Provincial Health Division. The aim of the study was to list the epidemiological characteristics of measles cases in the Banalia Health Zone, to determine the incidence of measles in children aged 0-15 years, and to analyze the vaccination status of children with measles. Methodology: This was a retrospective descriptive study, based on the acquisition of data from the medical records of the targeted children or from data registers at the time of submission. A total of 3,968 children with measles were selected from the various health centers and areas of the Banalia Health Zone. Results: We observed that 64.6% of the subjects in the study were aged between 0 and 5 years; 40.77% of measles cases were recorded in September 2022. The measles vaccination rate was 39.19% and the case fatality rate was 2.8%. The Panga 2 axis had the highest number of measles cases, with a prevalence rate of 29.03%. Conclusion: Measles is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Banalia Health Zone. The age group most affected is 0-5 years. Vaccination and surveillance systems need to be strengthened to reduce the growing risk posed by measles.

Highly Educated Mother's Perception of Childhood Vaccination Hesitancy in Kazakhstan: A Thematic Analysis.

Vaccine hesitancy among parents directly affects the child's vaccination status since they are the legal decision-makers regarding vaccinating their children. The study aimed to describe the perceptions of highly educated Kazakhstani mothers about childhood vaccination hesitancy. The study utilized a thematic analysis to explore the mothers' perceptions. A sample of 95 participants comprehensively answered the free-text questions in an online questionnaire from January to February 2023. The analysis of the free-text responses followed a semantic thematic analysis approach. The data were coded manually. From the in-depth analysis of the data, 285 initial codes were extracted. The combination of similar meanings and concept codes led to 14 sub-themes and finally yielded four significant themes: misconceptions about childhood vaccination, fear of the effect of vaccine on children, distrust of the healthcare system, and social learning factors. The perceptions of Kazakh mothers about childhood vaccination hesitancy may lead to behaviors of delaying and refusing some or all childhood vaccines. Therefore, motivational and educational strategies can be used by healthcare providers to instill trust in parents about childhood vaccines and their safety and effectiveness.

Despite mandated primary series, health care personnel still hesitant about COVID-19 vaccine and immunizing children

ImportanceHealthcare personnel (HCP) are important messengers for promoting vaccines, for both adults and children. Our investigation describes perceptions of fully vaccinated HCP about COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and primary series for their children. ObjectiveTo determine associations between sociodemographic, employment characteristics and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines among HCP overall and the subset of HCP with children, who were all mandated to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, in a large US metropolitan region. DesignCross-sectional survey of fully vaccinated HCP from a large integrated health system. SettingParticipants were electronically enrolled within a multi-site NYS healthcare system from December 21, 2021, to January 21, 2022. ParticipantsOf 78,000 employees, approximately one-third accessed promotional emails; 6,537 employees started surveys and 4165 completed them. Immunocompromised HCP (self-reported) were excluded. Exposure(s) (for observational studies)We conducted a survey with measures including demographic variables, employment history, booster status, child vaccination status; vaccine recommendation, confidence, and knowledge. Main outcome(s) and measuresThe primary outcome was COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for all dose types − primary series or booster doses − among HCP. ResultsFindings from 4,165 completed surveys indicated that almost 17.2 % of all HCP, including administrative and clinical staff, were hesitant or unsure about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine booster, despite the NYS recommendation to do so. Depending on age group, between 20 % and 40 % of HCP were hesitant about having their children vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of clinical versus non-clinical duties. In multivariable regression analyses, lack of booster dose, unvaccinated children, females, income less than $50,000, and residence in Manhattan remained significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions and relevanceDespite mandated COVID-19 vaccination, a substantial proportion of HCP remained vaccine hesitant towards adult booster doses and pediatric COVID-19 vaccination. While provider recommendation has been the mainstay of combatting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, a gap exists between HCP—despite clinical or administrative status—and the ability to communicate the need for vaccination in a healthcare setting. While previous studies describe the HCP vaccine mandate as a positive force to overcome vaccine hesitancy, we have found that despite a mandate, there is still substantial COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and reluctance to vaccinate children.

Factors associated with childhood non-vaccination against COVID-19 in Canada: A national survey analysis

BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccination efforts are critical in mitigating the impact of the virus, but despite proven safety and efficacy, vaccination rates among children in Canada are lower than in adults, prompting a need to explore determinants of childhood COVID-19 non-vaccination to improve uptake. MethodThis study analyzed data from the Canadian COVID-19 Immunization Coverage Survey 2022. Using multivariable logistic regression, it examined the association between COVID-19 non-vaccination among children aged 5–17 and factors such as parental sociodemographic characteristics, vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB), and vaccination history. ResultsThe analysis revealed that negative KAB towards vaccines, reflected in higher KAB composite scores, significantly increased the likelihood of non-vaccination. Additionally, factors such as lower household incomes, rural residence, employment in sectors not at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases, and younger parental age were associated with higher non-vaccination. The study also highlighted ethnic disparities in vaccination odds and found that children with incomplete routine vaccinations or inconsistent flu vaccination histories were more likely to be unvaccinated against COVID-19. Surprisingly, children of parents who consistently received flu vaccinations were more likely to be unvaccinated against COVID-19. Furthermore, parental education levels showed a complex relationship with children's COVID-19 vaccination status, indicating nuanced influences on vaccination decisions. ConclusionThe findings offer vital insights into the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination uptake among children in Canada, suggesting avenues for targeted strategies to improve vaccine coverage.

Parents' perspectives on dental team as advisors to promote HPV vaccination among Spanish adolescents.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection responsible for many anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Dental care providers have the potential to influence vaccine uptake, yet little is known about how patients perceive their role in HPV education and prevention. Parents of adolescents aged 9 to 17 years (n = 375) were recruited from Valdeorras District Hospital (Galicia, Spain) to investigate parents' attitudes concerning the involvement of dental care providers in discussions related to HPV. A survey was distributed to the participants, and 343 (91.5%) were included in the analysis. In general, nearly half of the parents reported feeling comfortable regarding discussing HPV with their dentist. Participants described more comfort with dentists than with dental hygienists. Parents' comfort levels were influenced by various social determinants of health, including education level, marital status, geographic origin, and child vaccination status (p > 0.05). Parents reported varying comfort levels when discussing HPV and its vaccine with dental professionals, displaying a preference for dentists. Dental settings have the potential to promote vaccination, but the existence of ongoing barriers needs to be addressed.

Using big data to analyze the vaccination status of children with congenital heart disease in Yinzhou District, China

ABSTRACT Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents a significant population warranting particular attention concerning vaccination coverage. To comprehend the vaccination status of CHD within Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, China, and to facilitate the formulation of preventive, control, and immunization strategies against vaccine-preventable diseases in children with congenital heart conditions. Using the China Yinzhou Electronic Health Record Study (CHERRY) database, we analyzed the vaccination coverage of children with CHD born between January 1, 2016 and September 20, 2021, and analyzed the influencing factors associated with the level of vaccination coverage. This study involved 762 children diagnosed with CHD at the age of 12 months, revealing that 86.74% of these children had received at least one dose of the National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. The coverage for non-NIP vaccines, such as the rotavirus vaccine, influenza vaccine, Influenza Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccine, 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), and inactivated enterovirus type 71 vaccine (EV71), stood at 27.30%, 7.74%, 63.25%, 33.76%, and 34.51%, respectively. The completion coverage for the entire vaccination schedule were 27.30%, 5.51%, 55.77%, 34.25%, and 25.59%, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between vaccination coverage in classification of diagnostic medical institutions and the types of diagnosed diseases. Compared to their typically developing counterparts, 12-month-old children afflicted with CHD exhibit a slightly diminished vaccination coverage, alongside a discernible inclination toward delayed vaccination. Notably, the determination to undergo vaccinations seems predominantly influenced by the classification of diagnostic medical institutions. In practical terms, proactive measures involving early diagnosis, comprehensive health assessments, and timely interventions ought to be implemented to enhance vaccination rates while prioritizing safety.

Population-based cross-sectional study of factors influencing full vaccination status of children aged 12- 23 months in a rural district of the Upper East Region, Ghana

BackgroundAchieving universal health coverage includes ensuring that children have access to vaccines that are of high quality, safe, efficacious, and affordable. The Immunisation Agenda 2030 aims to expand services to zero-dose and incompletely vaccinated children and reduce immunisation rate disparities as a contribution to vaccination equity. This study explored the factors influencing full vaccination status among children aged 12 – 23 months in a rural district of the Upper East Region of Ghana.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among carers of children aged 12 -23 months in the Kassena Nankana West district. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 360 carers. Information regarding the vaccination status of children was gathered through a combination of children’s health record books and carers’ recollections. Information on potential determinants was also systematically collected for analysis in Stata version 15.0.ResultsThe results showed that 76.9% (95% CI: 72.3 – 81.0) of children had full vaccinations per the national schedule. All children received at least one vaccination. A higher percentage of carers with incompletely vaccinated children reported that they had travelled with their children as the primary reason for missing certain vaccine doses. Full vaccination status was significantly associated with secondary (aOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.20—5.63) and tertiary (aOR = 3.98, 95% CI: 1.34—11.84) maternal educational level, being in a partnership relationship (aOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.03—4.25), and residing in close proximity to healthcare facilities (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21—0.80).ConclusionsOur study found that nearly one-quarter of children aged 12—23 months in the study setting are underserved with vaccination services for a variety of reasons. Effectively reaching these children will require strengthening health systems, including eliminating vaccine shortages, addressing the unique challenges faced by unmarried women with children aged 12–23 months, and improving accessibility to vaccination services.

Predictors of vaccination card retention in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.

The home-based vaccination card is an important health record for determining vaccination status of children during surveys, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, there are limited evidence on the factors that influence its retention in Ghana. We assessed the predictors of vaccination card retention in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 21st December 2022 to 10th January 2023 among children aged 0-59 months in the Tamale Metropolis. Multi-stage sampling was used to select caregivers of children aged 0-59 months for enrolment in the study. Data were collected using validated questionnaire through face-to-face interviews of caregivers. A vaccination card was retained if it was presented for physical inspection by research assistants. The factors that influence vaccination card retention were determined in a multivariate logistic regression analysis at p<0.05. A total of 1,532 eligible children were enrolled in this study. Vaccination card retention was 91.5%. Negative predictors of card retention included: being resident in the Nyohini (AOR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.15-0.50) and Tamale Central (AOR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.29-0.90) sub-Metro areas and being caregivers of children aged 24-59 months (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.22-0.68). On the other hand, paying for the vaccination card (AOR = 5.14; 95% CI = 2.95-8.95) was a positive predictor of vaccination card retention. In this study, vaccination card retention among children aged 0-59 months was higher than national estimates. Vaccination card retention was mainly influenced by sub-Metro area, age of child and mode of acquisition of the card such as out-of-pocket payment. There is need to design and deliver tailored messages including the importance of vaccination card retention to caregivers of children based on geographic context. Additionally, the policy on sale of vaccination cards should be revised to allow for cost sharing to enhance its retention.

Etiologies of Mild and Moderate Diarrheal Illness among Children in Consuelo, Dominican Republic.

Since the rotavirus vaccine was included in the Dominican Republic's national immunization schedule in 2012, the microbiologic etiologies of acute gastroenteritis have not been described. This study aimed to determine the contribution of rotavirus as an etiology of acute gastroenteritis over a 12-month period in children under 5 years of age in both an inpatient and an outpatient setting in Consuelo, Dominican Republic. All children who were seen at Niños Primeros en Salud clinic or admitted to Hospital Municipal Dr. Angel Ponce Pinedo for acute gastroenteritis during January 2021-April 2022 were enrolled in the study. Stools were evaluated for rotavirus, enteric parasites, and pathogenic bacteria. Pathogen detection was compared between outpatients and inpatients and on the basis of child's vaccination status. From 181 children enrolled, 170 stool samples were collected, 28 (16.5%) from inpatients and 142 (83.5%) from outpatients. Rotavirus was the most commonly detected pathogen and was proportionately more common among hospitalized children, with nine (32.1%) cases among hospitalized children and 16 (11.3%) among outpatient children. (Pearson χ2 = 8.1, P = 0.004). Among patients with a positive rotavirus result, vaccination rate was lower among moderate (hospitalized) (three of six; 50%) compared with mild (outpatient) diarrhea patients (12 of 15; 80%). Giardia lamblia (10%) was the next most prevalent pathogen detected in both inpatients and outpatients using standard laboratory measures. Despite the availability of rotavirus vaccination, rotavirus remains a common cause of gastrointestinal illness among children under 5 years of age in our cohort. Incomplete vaccination status was associated with hospitalization for gastrointestinal illness.

Exploring how the uptake of childhood immunisations can be improved in England: A systematic review

Background: Childhood immunisations protect communities against preventable and infectious diseases. Coverage for childhood immunisations in the UK is declining and coverage for the MMR vaccine stands at 85.5%, significantly below the target set by the Department of Health and Social Care to achieve herd immunity and prevent sustained disease transmission. Methods: Three medical databases were searched using PICO, supported by the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria and critical appraisal. Results: Reminder and recall activities are identified as a cost-effective method for improving childhood immunisation uptake but targeted, individualised and family-centred interventions should be utilised to promote access to childhood immunisations for underserved populations. Vaccination data should remain up to date and a child's vaccination status should be reviewed and meaningfully discussed at every healthcare contact and staff involved in immunisation should have access to appropriate education, training and support. Recommendations: Understanding how to provide services and improve vaccine coverage for patients who frequently are not brought is identified as an opportunity for further research, as well as analysing the role of public health teams in identifying local inequalities and supporting GP practices to design and deliver bespoke interventions for their community. It is recommended that communication emphasises the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, while highlighting a child's susceptibility or risk to developing complications. Further research is needed to evaluate how best to communicate this to ensure that the information provided is clear and factual and comprehensible to all parents and carers.

Current vaccination status and safety of children with peripheral neuroblastoma in the real-world.

peripheral neuroblastic tumors (pNT) have high incidence and mortality, and infants are prone to various infectious diseases. The purpose of this study is to understand the immunization status of children with pNT in the real-world and the incidence of adverse reactions after vaccination, and to evaluate the feasibility of vaccination and the influencing factors of vaccination. Children with pNT treated in the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University from January 1, 2011 to December 1, 2021 were included. By referring to medical records, the vaccination history of the national immunization program (NIP) vaccines and the occurrence of adverse events following immunization(AEFI), current status and safety of immunization in children with pNT in the real-world were analyzed. Among 784 children with pNT, 394 were able to obtain the history of vaccination. The overall vaccination rate of NIP vaccines was 71.49% before chemotherapy and 37.67% after chemotherapy, and the recovery time of vaccination after treatment was 16.00 (6.00,24.00) months. Age, time of tumor diagnosis and disease classification were significantly correlated with vaccination. AEFI reported an incidence of 0.23‰. The vaccination rate of children with pNT is generally low, especially the vaccination rate after chemotherapy. The vaccination safety is good, children should be encouraged to immunize.

Maternal worry of children contracting COVID-19 predicts vaccine uptake in young children in Vermont

BackgroundYoung children, 6 months to 4 years of age, were the last population for whom the COVID-19 vaccines became available and remain the group with the lowest uptake. Scarce information exists on drivers of vaccine uptake in young children. The relationship between parental perceived risk of infection and child COVID-19 vaccination is unknown. ObjectiveExamine the association between perceived risk of infection and early childhood vaccination. MethodsIn June 2020, perinatal women in Vermont were enrolled in a longitudinal survey study assessing life changes during the pandemic. Surveys included worry of infection, Parents Attitude about Childhood Vaccines (PACV), intention to vaccinate children with the COVID-19 vaccine, and masking behaviors. Once vaccines became available, surveys also included child vaccination status. A demographic-adjusted stepwise logistic regression was conducted to assess the relationship of worry of infection and vaccine hesitancy on child vaccination status. Results85 women completed baseline and follow up surveys. Participants were highly adherent to adult COVID vaccines with 93 % at least partially vaccinated and only 3 % demonstrated general childhood vaccine hesitancy on the PACV. However, in this highly adherent population, only 61 % of young children are vaccinated. In univariate [OR = 7.35 95 % CI (2.70 to 20.02)] and demographic adjusted [OR = 6.03 95 % CI (1.30 to 27.90)] models, current worry about child infection was associated with higher odds of child vaccination. Previously established predictors, vaccine hesitancy [OR = 0.91 95 % CI (0.84 to 0.99)] and younger maternal age [OR = 1.33 95 % CI (1.07 to 1.65)] were again associated lower odds of child vaccination. ConclusionAmong vaccine adherent parents, worry of infection was a strong predictor of vaccine uptake. Continued efforts to articulate the potential morbidity of COVID in young children, along with established methods to address general vaccine hesitancy may aid in COVID vaccine uptake in this population.

Mothers/caregivers’ knowledge of routine childhood immunization and vaccination status in children aged, 12-23 months in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: Immunization has averted millions of hospitalizations and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases. It is a strong public health tool for childhood infection control and prevention. Many mothers are aware of routine immunization but with doubtable knowledge.Objectives: This study determined the mothers/caregivers’ knowledge of routine childhood immunization and vaccination status of their children, aged 12-23 months in Ilorin East Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. It also identified some of the socio-demographic factors associated with good knowledge status of the mothers/caregivers.Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study, carried out between December, 2019 and January, 2020, among 456 mothers / caregivers-children’s pairs. Subjects were recruited using multistage cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire.Results: Up to 98.0% of the respondents were aware of childhood immunization with healthcare providers (92.1%) being their major source of information. Majority of the respondents (85.3%) had good knowledge of immunization, defined by a score ≤6 out of the 10 questions tested. There was a significant relationship between respondents’ knowledge and full vaccination status of the children (p=0.001). The significant factors associated with good knowledge from binary logistic regression were mothers / caregivers’ age &gt;30 years, antenatal clinic attendance and at least secondary education (OR, p value = 10.60, 0.013; 8.50, &lt;0.001; and 3.98, &lt;0.001 respectively).Conclusion: Mothers / caregivers’ knowledge on immunization was good and this positively affected the full vaccination status of their children. There is a need to sustain female education and encourage antenatal clinic attendance, as tools to improve childhood immunization.

Incidence and Determinants of Diarrheal Cases in Children Under Five Admitted at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, IshakaBushenyi District, Western Uganda

Diarrhoea stands as a significant global public health issue, with the WHO reporting approximately 2.5 billion cases annually among children below five years old. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of diarrhoea and its influencing factors in children under five admitted to Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIU-TH). Employing a cross-sectional and descriptive approach, quantitative data was gathered through selfadministered and investigator-led questionnaires, utilizing digital tools such as Google Sheets for data collection. A total of 238 mothers, randomly selected using convenience sampling, whose children were admitted at KIU-TH constituted the study's sample. The results, presented through 95% Confidence Intervals (C.I), Odd Ratios (OR), and P-values, were computed using Binary Logistic Regression with Pearson’s correlation in SPSS Version 26, and graphically represented using Microsoft Excel Software. At the time of data collection, the prevalence of diarrhoea among children under five admitted at KIU-TH stood at 24.4% based on maternal responses. This high prevalence was found to be influenced by several factors, including the child's vaccination status, the early introduction of supplementary foods, premature weaning practices, and the child's age. Notably, exclusive breastfeeding practices were not adhered to, with mothers introducing other foods at a young age and initiating early weaning practices. Keywords: Diarrhoea, Children under five years of age, Vaccination status, early weaning.

Vaccination coverage of children with rheumatic diseases compared with healthy controls: a retrospective case-control study

ABSTRACT Objective To reveal the vaccination status of patients with pediatric rheumatic disease (PedRD) and to compare this with healthy controls. Methods The electronic health records of the Ministry of Health regarding the vaccination status of children with PedRD followed in a tertiary hospital were analyzed cross-sectionally and compared with their healthy controls. The missing vaccines were reported according to individual, age-appropriate schedule and causes of skipped vaccines in both groups were investigated with an online survey. Results The vaccination rate of patients in the last examination was 71.4% (90/126) and 95.7% (110/115) in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, diphtheria, the administration rates of the second dose of tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated polio and Haemophilus influenzae type B, chickenpox, and hepatitis A vaccines were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p values 0.004, 0.02, 0.01, 0.013, respectively). The pre-diagnosis incomplete vaccination proportion was significantly higher in the patient group (16.6%) than in healthy controls (4.3%) (p = 0.002). In the patient group, the proportion of incomplete live-attenuated vaccines after diagnosis (25%) was more than pre-diagnosis (61.1%) (p = 0.04), while the proportion of incomplete non-live vaccines before and after diagnosis was similar (47.2% and 50%, respectively) (p = 0.73). The major reasons for missed vaccines were physicians’ recommendations (15.6%), the presence of PedRD diagnosis (12.5%), and the drugs used (12.5%). Conclusion Vaccination coverage of PedRD patients has been shown to lag behind the routine vaccination schedule (71.4%). In addition to new recommendations, electronic health system records for vaccination may be appropriate for the follow-up of these patients, and the addition of reminder alerts may be useful to reduce the rate of missed vaccinations.

Vaccination Status in Children with Chronic Diseases: Are They Up-to-Date for Mandatory and Specific Vaccines?

The aim of this study is to investigate the immunization coverage for mandatory and specific vaccines in a group of children with chronic diseases. Children with chronic diseases aged 6 months to 18 years who were followed up by outpatient subspecialty clinics of a tertiary hospital were enrolled. Children who were up-to-date and who were under-vaccinated were compared with respect to demographic characteristics, parental educational status, healthcare providers' attitudes toward vaccination, age at the time of diagnosis, and duration of follow-up. A total of 366 patients with variable chronic diseases were enrolled. Of these, 84.7% were up-to-date for the mandatory vaccines. This rate was 99.5% for the primary series of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis and 98.9% for the first dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccines. Vaccination coverage for specific vaccines was low (13.9% for influenza and 55% for conjugated pneumococcal vaccine). Being older at the time of diagnosis increased the likelihood of being up-to-date for mandatory vaccines by 1.1 times, while being followed up from multiple subspecialty outpatient clinics and attendance to private doctors' clinics for vaccination increased the likelihood of being up-to-date for specific vaccines by 19.1 and 6.4 times, respectively. In this study, immunization coverage for mandatory vaccines was comparable to that of the general population. However, vaccination coverage was low for specific vaccines. Therefore, efforts of prioritization of pediatric immunizations and raising awareness among healthcare providers about the impact of medical recommendations for specific vaccines among children with chronic diseases can help to improve vaccination rates.

Duration of SARS-CoV-2 Culturable Virus Shedding in Children

This cohort study evaluates the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and its association with vaccination status in children after a positive COVID-19 test result.