Role of health insurance and a usual source of medical care in age-appropriate vaccination

Am J Public Health. 2004 Jun;94(6):960-6. doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.6.960.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the associations of having health insurance and having a usual source of medical care with age-appropriate childhood vaccination.

Methods: Simulations were conducted with multivariate logistic regression models and a nationally representative sample of children to assess the likelihood of age-appropriate vaccination.

Results: Simulated provision of health insurance and a usual source of medical care produced substantial increases in the likelihood of doses being received age-appropriately. Increases in the likelihood of a child's being up to date were also observed, but these increases typically were smaller than for age-appropriate vaccination.

Conclusions: Changes in childhood vaccination status should be assessed in age-appropriate terms, because measures of "up to date" status may not capture the effects of immunization interventions.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Insurance Coverage / statistics & numerical data*
  • Insurance, Health*
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • United States
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*