The percentage of parents who refused or delayed vaccinations for their children, has "increased significantly from 22% to 39%," according to a study presented Tuesday at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Vancouver. Philip Smith, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and his colleagues, analyzed data from the 2008 National Immunization Survey, which asked parents if they had delayed or refused a vaccine, and if so, why.
The results revealed that 31% of parents with 24 - 35 month-old children had intentionally delayed administration of vaccines to their children in 2008, and 12% had intentionally refused vaccinating their children altogether.
Some concerns expressed by parents, who refused or delayed immunizations for their children, regarded the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. They also did not believe, that the specific diseases which the vaccines were designed for, were all that much of a health concern. Furthermore they were much less likely to feel comfortable with their child's immunization provider.
Some reasons given by parents for refusing or delaying a vaccine were:
- Child was ill (44 % of parents)
- Believed too many shots were recommended (27%)
- Had questions about the effectiveness of vaccines (26%)
- Were concerned about autism (25%)
- Were worried about the side-effects or the safety of the vaccines (24%)
The vaccines included in the study were diptheria, tetanus, accellular pertussis vaccine, polio, measles-mumps-rubella, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B and varicella.
Parents in Canadian provinces, where child vaccination is mandatory, may choose to secure an exemption, with a notarized documentation of religious, philosophical or medical reasons.
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