Factors associated with unnecessary immunization given to children

Abstract

Access to a complete immunization record, be it the provider's, the parent's or ideally both, decreases substantially a child's risk of unnecessary immunization.

Changes in Clinic Vaccination Coverage After Institution of Measurement and Feedback in 4 States and 2 Cities

“…A study 15 conducted by the state suggested that inaccuracies in data entered into the registry (which had not previously been subject to the influence of the intervention) were responsible. These data are consistent with other studies 16,17 of the accuracy of provider-based immunization coverage measurements.…”

Extraimmunization Among US Children

“…14 However, even if medically safe, extraimmunization is inefficient and unnecessarily costly, and thus, undesirable. 15 A few small studies have examined the question of extraimmunization. A population-based study of 187 children born in Dallas, Tex, in 1986 and1987 found that by age 72 months 18% had received 1 or more extra vaccine doses.…”

Vaccines for Children Program, United States, 1997

“…Although underimmunization is one logical and important consequence of record scattering, overimmunization, in which children receive unnecessary immunizations (and are exposed to unnecessary risks), is also a possible outcome, because information on immunization status is unknown at the time of the child's encounter with an immunization provider. 36,37 Another adverse consequence of record scattering is that it complicates practice-based coverage assessments, 38 an intervention strategy shown to improve immunization levels. 5 Although hand-held immunization cards have not been shown to reduce the problems created by record-scattering, 39,40 state or local immunization registries may provide a viable solution by consolidating scattered records in a central location.…”