Reasons for incomplete immunisation among Australian children. A national survey of parents.

Background: Incomplete immunisation among Australian children may be due to parents disagreeing with immunisation rather than medical contraindications or access issues.

Setting And Methods: The parents of 1338 children recorded on the ACIR as incompletely immunised were telephoned and interviewed.

Results: Of the 462 parents who confirmed their child was incompletely immunised, 270 (58%) disagreed with or were concerned about immunisation; 190 (70%) of these were concerned about vaccine side effects. The disagreeing 270 parents were significantly more likely to be highly educated and have a child with no vaccinations recorded on the ACIR. No vaccinations were recorded on the ACIR for 81% of children of both these parents, and of parents registered as conscientious objectors to immunisation. Together these two groups accounts for 2.5-3.0% of the annual birth cohort.

Discussion: In order to achieve the 95% immunisation rates necessary for disease control, tailored approaches to promote immunisation among parents are required.