Disparity of Childhood Immunization Coverage by Neighbourhood Socioeconomic Status

Background Information

Routine immunization against infectious disease is a measure of preventative medicine that is easy to implement and has proven value.  In 2001 - 2004, the average immunization coverage rates for complete MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) immunization in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for children aged two years was as follows:

•  43.5% of two year olds had immunization coverage in Saskatoon's 6 low income neighborhoods
• 92.5% of two years olds had immunization coverage in Saskatoon's 5 affluent neighorhood
• In the low income neighborhoods,  44% of the population are of aborginal descent
• In the affluent neighborhoods, 1% of the population is of aboriginal descent

Lack of data?

Data concerning immunizations is available for First Nations children living on reserves in Canada, but there are no published studies that document immunization coverage rates for First Nations or Metis children living in an urban setting in Canada.

Also, there are no published large scale controlled studies assessing the effectiveness or cost effectiveness of providing immunizations in the home. 

As well,  there are no studies that compare the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of reminder/recall systems to home visits for immunization delivery in Aboriginal urban populations.

 Research questions to be explored 

•  What are the differing parental beliefs and attitudes (stratified by ethnicity and income status) toward childhood vaccination between parents that did or did not immunize their children? What is the percentage of urban First Nations and Metis parents that received immunization for their two year old children in comparison with other cultural groups? 
• Is a home visitation program more effective (and cost effective) than a reminder system in updating immunization coverage (stratified by ethnicity and income status) in two year old children that are chronically behind in their immunization schedule? 
• Is a home visitation program more effective (and cost effective) than a reminder system in updating immunization coverage (stratified by ethnicity and income status) in two year old children that are currently behind in their immunization schedule?