Parental Sociodemographics Linked to Child MMR Vaccine Uptake
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2025 -- Parental sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 vaccination status are associated with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rates in the United States, according to a study published online Jan. 16 in the American Journal of Public Health.
Eric Geng Zhou, Ph.D., from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study from July 2023 to April 2024 using a digital health survey to examine the association between parental characteristics and MMR vaccination status of children in the United States. Responses of 19,892 parents of children aged younger than 5 years were analyzed.
The researchers found that MMR vaccination rates were higher for children of parents who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine versus children of unvaccinated parents (80.8 versus 60.9 percent). MMR vaccination rates were lower for children of parents who identified as Republican versus Democrat, for those with Medicaid or Medicare versus private insurance, and for racial/ethnic minority versus White parents. In the Northeast and Midwest United States, MMR vaccination rates were higher.
"Our research highlights the link between parental characteristics and MMR vaccine uptake, showing how pandemic-related hesitancy may affect other routine vaccines," Zhou said in a statement. "Addressing these disparities, through equitable access and fostering trust and transparency in vaccine safety, is key to protecting children from preventable diseases like measles."
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted January 2025
Further Support and Information on COVID-19
Read this next
35 Percent of Eligible Children Receive RSV Prophylaxis With Nirsevimab
TUESDAY, July 22, 2025 -- Despite near universal availability of nirsevimab, only 35 percent of eligible children receive nirsevimab for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)...
2020 to 2024 Saw Drop in Flu Vaccine Uptake Among U.S. Adults
FRIDAY, July 18, 2025 -- There was an overall decrease in influenza vaccine uptake among U.S. adults from 2020 to 2024, according to a study published online July 16 in PLOS...
No Risks Seen With Early Childhood Exposure to Aluminum-Adsorbed Vaccines
TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 -- Early childhood exposure to aluminum-adsorbed vaccines is not associated with an increased risk for autoimmune, atopic or allergic, or neurodevelopmental...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.