Vaccine coverage for 10-11 year-old children in Finistère, France in 2004: comparison with national average

Within the context of a cross-sectional survey to study the health status of 10 & 11-year-olds in Finistere (western France) in 2004, their vaccination status was also investigated. A random sample of 1003 children was selected, and 992 completed questionnaires were returned in response to the status of tuberculosis vaccination. 67% of children's cases corresponded to the acceptable vaccination status according to the French 1990 guidelines, including the BCG test. Prime injections were correctly carried out (ranging from 95% for measles to 97.7% for trivalent diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis [DTP] vaccines). Vaccine coverage rates were seen to decrease with the follow-up doses of injections required: 89% for the fourth dose of pertusis (whooping cough) vaccine and 91.9% for the fifth does of DTP. Coverage was remarkably lower for the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine and the second dose of trivalent measles, mumps, and rubella which have both been recommended later in France. The community and living environment (urban & rural) is a common factor found closely associated with vaccination compliance and coverage rates. For the most part, the vaccination rates for these children in Finistère were higher than the national ones.