Dutch national immunization schedule: compliance and associated characteristics for the primary series

Conclusion: Delayed vaccination during the primary vaccination schedule occurs in one sixth of the Dutch children. Efforts to improve compliance should be focused in particular on preterm infants, infants with low birth weight and infants whose parents are not born in the Netherlands.What is Known:•A delayed start of vaccination leads to a longer period at risk for infectious diseases, e.g.pertussis•Delayed vaccination is associated with several factors including prematurity, low birth weight, family size, birth order, low socioeconomic status and health status of the childWhat is New:•Compliance with the recommended priming immunization schedule for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio was 64.5%, and increased from 60.1% for 2007 to 68.5% for 2012•If the first vaccination was delayed, there was a higher chance that the following vaccinations were administered ‘out-of-schedule’ as well, resulting in even a higher age at second and third vaccination.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research