All issues > Volume 44(4); 2001

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2001;44(4):375-388. Published online April 15, 2001.

MMR Immunization Rate and Related Factors - Findings from Repeated Surveys(1996, 1999) on Elementary School Students in Kyonggi Province, Korea -

Moran MR Ki¹, Moynghee MH Kim², Young-Jeon YJ Shin², Boyoul BY Choi²

¹Department Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Taejon, Korea
²Department Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Boyoul BY Choi ,Email: bychoi@email.hanyang.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: This study was carried out to obtain the immunization rate of MMR, and to know the related factors.
Methods
: Subjects of the study were 3,364 students of 8 elementary schools of Kyonggi province. Surveys accompanied with questionnaires were conducted in 1996 and 1999, respectively.
Results
: The salient features of the findings were as follows : The immunization rate for MMR turned out to increase as the age of students becomes younger and the 2nd MMR coverage rate in the 1999 survey was 30%. The MMR immunization rate had a strong positive correlation with parental education and income levels. The 2nd MMR immunization rate also had a strong positive correlation with the level of parental education. The vaccination record-keeping rate increased from 30% in 1996 to 41% in 1999. Especially, 52% of freshmen had a record in 1999. The record keeping rate had a strong positive correlation with parental education and income levels. Vaccination places for MMR were hospital or clinics in 60% and public health centers in 39%.
Conclusion
: The vaccination coverage rate for MMR was 85.5% in 1996 and 83.0% in 1999, respectively. The immunization rate however was not high enough to be able to protect against the MMR epidemy. In particular, we should pay more attention to vaccinating the children whose parents` education or income level is low. And we need to have a program that will enhance coverage for the 1st and the 2nd MMR among school children.

Keywords :Measles, Mumps, Rubella(MMR), Immunization rate, Vaccination record, Children