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US- and foreign-born teens show comparable vaccination rates
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ATLANTA — Teenagers who were born in a country other than the United States were shown to have comparable vaccination coverage rates when compared with U.S.-born teenagers, with higher rates of vaccination against HPV and lower rates against varicella, according to research presented at the 2017 Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference.
To distinguish potential disparities between the two demographics concerning vaccination, Jessica M. Healy, PhD, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC, and colleagues assessed vaccine coverage among U.S.- and foreign-born adolescents and then compared the results.
Deidentified data collected between 2012 and 2014 for the National Immunization Survey-Teen were used for those between the ages of 13 and 17. Healy and colleagues determined if recommended doses were administered for Tdap, meningococcal (MenACWY), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), varicella, HPV and hepatitis B.
The researchers then calculated vaccination coverage and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs). Factors, which included access to care and demographics, were considered in these calculations.
When data were compared, no significant difference was observed between teenagers born within the U.S. and those who were foreign-born after adjustments related to Tdap, MenACWY, MMR, or HBV vaccination; however, U.S.-born adolescents were 21% less likely to receive recommended doses of HPV compared with foreign-born male and female teenagers. In contrast, foreign-born adolescents were less likely to be vaccinated against varicella.
“Vaccination is an extremely important step a parent can take to protect the health of their children as well as others,” Healy told Infectious Diseases in Children. “We've made great strides ensuring adolescents are protected, but there's more work to do, particularly when it comes to HPV and varicella vaccination rates in both foreign-born and U.S.-born teens.” — by Katherine Bortz.
Reference:
Healy JM, et al. Abstract. Presented at: The Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference; April 24-27, 2017; Atlanta, GA.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.