Potential strategies to improve childhood immunization rates in Canada

Question 1

Reasons for underimmunization in Canada?

Answer 1

1. parents simply forget
2. difficulty getting to a clinic during regular hours
3. unconvinced that vaccine-preventable diseases pose a real threat
4. believing that children are “too young” for certain vaccines (or that they are receiving too many vaccines or that they should develop “natural immunity”)
5. concerns about the trustworthiness of health care workers or the safety and efficacy of vaccines

Question 2

Recommendations to improve immunization uptake?

Answer 2

1. Establish electronic immunization registries (accessible to health care providers)
2. Notify parents automatically when child is overdue for immunization (text messages and email)
3. Canimmunize app should be promoted
4. Clinic or health centre hours and locations should be convenient for working parents
   
   1. “walk-in” clinics should be available.
   2. Wait times should be < 2 weeks
5. Providing accurate immunization records should be mandatory for school entry
6. school-based immunization programs at least once per year (for noncompliant parents who aren’t opposed to immunization)
7. Canadian school curriculum should include education on vaccine-preventable diseases and benefits of vaccines