Date of Award

Winter 1-6-2012

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Dr. Frances McCarty

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael Eriksen

Third Advisor

John Steward

Abstract

Economic barriers remain an obstacle to ensuring that children in the United States are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Disparities persist despite programs in place to alleviate them, such as the Vaccines for Children program, which provides free vaccines for eligible children. Using data from the 2010 National Immunization Survey, this study addresses whether insurance status has an impact on immunization uptake by investigating associations between vaccine receipt and insurance type, VFC eligibility, and insurance continuity. Logistic regression was performed using possible important factors suggested in the literature. Among children in the national sample, results showed strong associations between up-to-date immunization status and insurance type, VFC eligibility, and insurance continuity, suggesting that additional steps must be taken to alleviate disparities in vaccine receipt. Regression analysis showed child’s age group, insurance continuity, and number of vaccine providers to be the strongest predictors of up-to-date status among children in the national sample.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/2387380

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