Is your child up to date with her immunizations? According to a new study led by researchers at Columbia Univeristy Medical Cener and NewYork Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, 20 percent of young children in the U.S. are under-immunized. Not having insurance is a factor, but the study didn’t investigate that. Rather, it focused on 705 children of parents with health insurance. Here’s what causes such parents to get off track:
–Scheduling issues: You’re four times as likely to be off schedule with your child’s immunizations if you have to reschedule a pediatrician appointment or have problems scheduling an appointment in the first place.
–Vacillating about vaccines: You’re three times as likely to miss your child’s immunization appointment if you doubt the importance of vaccines, according to the study.
–You can’t talk to your child’s pediatrician. You’re also three times as likely to miss your child’s scheduled shot(s) if you find it difficult to communicate with your child’s pediatrician.
Once you miss a scheduled visit or a visit that should have been scheduled at a specific time, your child is 2.5 times more likely to be under-immunized. To find out if you’re on track, visit the CDC’s 2010 immunization recommendations for children: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm#printable.
If you miss a vaccination, your child can catch up, so don’t let that stop you from getting your child fully immunized.
Tags: baby, CDC, immunizations
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