Nearly 25 percent of children at age two in Hawaii are not sufficiently immunized, and a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners explored reasons why children were not up to date with their shots. Dr. Niederhauser and her study team spent over 15 hours in the community talking with parents of under- and un- immunized children about their difficulties and issues with childhood immunization.
?The majority of reasons that parents cited for not taking their children for immunizations related to themselves – their issues, beliefs, knowledge and fears,? says study author Victoria Niederhauser. Parental substance abuse, chaotic home environments and hectic schedules also interfered with timely immunizations. Some parents questioned the safety of vaccinations and expressed doubt at their efficacy or importance.
Because the barriers differ based on location and across cultural and social groups, Niederhauser recommends a combination of targeted immunization interventions, public policy changes and identifying high-risk families with case managers. ?In order to increase immunizations, we must identify the unique barriers specific to each setting, perhaps through a statewide survey,? says Niederhauser. ?Healthcare providers, public health nurses, community agencies and other healthcare systems can then use this information to effectively reach out to parents in their communities.?