An evaluation of voluntary 2-dose varicella vaccination coverage in New York City public schools

M.K. Doll, J.B. Rosen, S.R. Bialek, H. Szeto and C.M. Zimmerman

American Journal of Public Health, 2015, vol. 105, issue 5, 972-979

Abstract: Objectives: We assessed coverage for 2-dose varicella vaccination, which is not required for school entry, among New York City public school students and examined characteristics associated with receipt of 2 doses. Methods: We measured receipt of either at least 1 or 2 doses of varicella vaccine among students aged 4 years and older in a sample of 336 public schools (n = 223 864 students) during the 2010 to 2011 school year. Data came from merged student vaccination records from 2 administrative data systems. We conducted multivariable regression to assess associations of age, gender, race/ethnicity, and school location with 2-dose prevalence. Results: Coverage with at least 1 varicella dose was 96.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 96.2%, 96.3%); coverage with at least 2 doses was 64.8% (95% CI = 64.6%, 64.9%). Increasing student age, non-Hispanic White race/ethnicity, and attendance at school in Staten Island were associated with lower 2-dose coverage. Conclusions: A 2-dose varicella vaccine requirement for school entry would likely improve 2-dose coverage, eliminate coverage disparities, and prevent disease.

Keywords: chickenpox vaccine, age distribution; ancestry group; chickenpox; child; drug administration; female; human; male; preschool child; school; sex ratio; statistics and numerical data; United States, Age Distribution; Chickenpox; Chickenpox Vaccine; Child; Child, Preschool; Continental Population Groups; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; New York City; Schools; Sex Distribution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.302229_1

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302229

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