Vaccine Hesitancy and Low Immunization Rates in Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents of children with Down syndrome and to determine how well the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines Survey (PACV) is associated with vaccine receipt among children with Down syndrome.

Study design: We mailed the PACV to parents of children with Down syndrome who attend the Down Syndrome Clinic at Akron Children's Hospital and examined associations between PACV scores and immunization status at 19 months of age.

Results: Of 120 surveys sent, 63 parents completed the PACV (52% response rate) of which 60 were linked to vaccination records. Of these 60 respondents, 55 children were ≥19 months old. PACV scores were significantly correlated with days of underimmunization at 19 months of age. All parents who refused all vaccines had PACV scores of ≥50. Only 58% of children were up to date for the combined 7 vaccine series at 19 months of age.

Conclusions: The PACV may be a valuable tool to identify vaccine hesitancy among parents of young children with Down syndrome. Special emphasis is needed to increase adherence with on-time vaccine recommendations for children with Down syndrome to optimize their health and to potentially avoid hospitalizations.

Keywords: Down syndrome; immunizations; vaccine hesitancy.