Impact of refusal to vaccine in the neonatal period on the implementation of the vaccination calendar in the first year of life

Abstract

Introduction The level of vaccination coverage with obligatory preparations in Poland reaches 98%. This is facilitated by the introduction of the Individual Vaccination Calendar (IVC) compliant with medical contraindications to vaccination. Aim The aim of the study was to assess whether the refusal of vaccinations after birth has an impact on the proper implementation of the vaccination calendar in the first year of life. Methods The study involved healthy, term newborns who were born in the Department of Neonatology in 2011–2015. There were 156 patients enrolled to the study. Among them, 133 were in the control group – vaccinated after birth, and 23 constituted the study group – not vaccinated after birth. Results Not all healthy newborns are vaccinated after birth, statistical significance was obtained between the study and control group (p < 0,00001). Only 48% of patients not vaccinated after birth received TB-vaccine during the first year (p < 0,00053). Parents of 26% of infants in the study and of 2% of infants in the control group declared using the IVC (p < 0,001). Conclusions Proper implementation of the vaccination schedule in the first year of life results from the initiation of vaccinations after birth. Unreasonable introduction of the IVC promotes incorrect timing of mandatory vaccinations.

Keywords

• vaccination
• neonatology
• contraindications to vaccinations
• immunization
• newborn
• infant
• vaccination schedule