Immunisation coverage among a birth cohort of Aboriginal infants in an urban community

Aim The aim of this study is to examine the age‐appropriate immunisation coverage and the factors associated with this in a cohort of Aboriginal infants in an outer urban Sydney community in comparison with non‐Aboriginal infants in this community. Methods Data on immunisation coverage were extracted from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register for a birth cohort of 178 Aboriginal and 356 non‐Aboriginal infants born in Campbelltown between October 2005 and May 2007. Non‐Aboriginal infants were matched on birthdates and gender. Data on maternal socio‐economic and other characteristics were collected by questionnaire. Results Australian Childhood Immunisation Register records were identified for 92% of infants. Immunisation rates of Aboriginal infants were comparable with those of non‐Aboriginal infants except for delay at 4 and 6 months. Rates of delay in immunisation at 12 and 18 months for both Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants were similar. Young maternal age and higher parity were both associated with a greater likelihood of delay. Conclusions Immunisation rates in this population of Aboriginal infants are comparable to those of non‐Aboriginal infants except for delay in immunisation at 4 and 6 months. Identified risk factors for both Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants may be amenable to intervention. Strategies to ensure timely compliance with immunisation schedules in this outer urban community have achieved reasonable immunisation coverage for Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal infants.