News
ICViewExpert PerspectivesMedical World NewsPathogen PlaybookVideosWebinars
Conference CoverageConference ListingAPIC Chapters
Infection Control TodaySupplements And Featured Publications
CME/CEEditorial Advisory BoardJob BoardPartnersSponsoredWhitepapers
Subscribe
Educator of the Year Official Rules2024 Educator of the Year Winner2023 Educator of the Year WinnerEducator of the Year
Advanced TechnologyAdvanced TechnologyAdvanced Technology
Bug of the Month
COVID-19
Environmental ServicesEnvironmental Services
HAIs
Hand Hygiene
IC Trends
Long-Term CareLong-Term Care
Operating Room
Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment
Policy
PreventionPreventionPreventionPrevention
Sterile ProcessingSterile Processing
Surface Disinfection
Vascular Access
Spotlight -
  • IC Trends
  • Bug of the Month
  • Featured Articles
  • Featured Columns
  • Pathogen Playbook
Advanced TechnologyAdvanced TechnologyAdvanced Technology
Bug of the Month
COVID-19
Environmental ServicesEnvironmental Services
HAIs
Hand Hygiene
IC Trends
Long-Term CareLong-Term Care
Operating Room
Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment
Policy
PreventionPreventionPreventionPrevention
Sterile ProcessingSterile Processing
Surface Disinfection
Vascular Access
    • News
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Parents Who Don't Follow Recommended Vaccine Schedule Increase Risk of Preventable Outbreaks

October 3, 2011
Article

A national survey of parents of young children found more than 1 in 10 use an alternative vaccination schedule, and a large proportion of parents using the recommended schedule seem to be "at risk" for switching to an alternative schedule.

"Small decreases in vaccine coverage are known to lead to dramatic increases in the risk of vaccine preventable disease outbreaks," says Amanda Dempsey, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the department of pediatrics and communicable diseases and a member of the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital. "Not following the recommended schedule leaves kids at risk for these diseases unnecessarily."

Following a vaccination schedule that deviates from those recommended by recognized groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics leads to under-immunization. Under-immunization has been shown to significantly increase the risk of contracting and spreading vaccine preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough," Dempsey adds.

This research shows that the problem of under-immunization is likely to continue to worsen in the future given that many parents have attitudes that indicate they are not convinced about the safety of having their kids vaccinated at recommended times.

The study, "Alternative vaccination schedule preferences among parents of young children," was published online today ahead print in the journal Pediatrics. It involved a survey of 771 parents of children ages 6 months to 6 years.

Among this group, surveyed in May 2010, 13 percent reported deviating from the recommendations, though only 2 percent refused all vaccines.

Most of the parents using an alternative schedule said they themselves (41 percent) or a friend (15 percent) developed the schedule, and 8 percent reported using a well-known alternative schedule such as the one developed by Dr. Bob Sears of AskDrSears.com.

Using an alternative vaccine schedule was strongly associated with not having a regular healthcare provider for the child. The vaccines most commonly delayed were the measles-mumps-rubella (45 percent) and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (43 percent) vaccines.

A large minority (30 percent) of parents using an alternative schedule said they had initially followed the recommended vaccination schedule; most said they switched because it "seemed safer."

Additionally, 1 in 4 parents who followed the regular vaccination schedule thought that delaying vaccination was still safer. Study authors conclude this highlights the need to develop strategies to prevent the spread of attitudes and beliefs that counter vaccination.

"More resources need to be devoted to finding ways to successfully change where attitudes are going," Dempsey says. "Clearly this problem is not going to go away, and our data suggests it will actually get worse over time."

Doctors are already working hard to stress the importance of timely vaccinations, but many people have their minds made up by the time they see the doctor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics and many other medically-oriented websites have a wealth of information about vaccines that parents can easily access.

Newsletter

Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.

Subscribe Now!
Recent Videos
Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste.  (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)
From Awareness to Action: Educating Staff on Sharps Safety Standards
Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR (Photo courtesy of Amanda Heitman)
Championing Surgical Safety: A Perioperative Nurse’s Perspective on Infection Prevention
Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste.  (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)
Sharps Safety Starts With Communication, Not Just Devices
DJ Shannon, MPH, CIC, VA-BC, FAPIC
All About APIC’s New Guide That Tackles All Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections
Jordan Bastian, MPH, CIC, at APIC25
Germs in the Halls: Why Infection Preventionists Are Going Back to School
Jordan Bastian, MPH, CIC, at APIC25
Keeping Classrooms Cleaner: Infection Preventionists Step into Schools
Pathogen Playbook Presenter: Sharon Ward-Fore, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC
Tried and True Infection Prevention Measures
Pathogen Playbook Presenter: Sharon Ward-Fore, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC
Why All This Viral Activity?
Pathogen Playbook Presenter: Sharon Ward-Fore, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: Bacteria-Caused Respiratory Tract Infections
Pathogen Playbook Presenter: Sharon Ward-Fore, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC
Common Cold Symptoms and Statistics
Related Content
Advertisement

Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH; Brandon M. Gantt, MHA, CRCST, CHL, CER, LSSGBH; and Jill E. Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, CHL, an infection preventionist in Atlanta, Georgia.

Better Alerts, Better Cleaning: Why IFU Updates and Borescope Protocols Must Be Built Into SPD Workflows

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 24th 2025
Article

Sterile processing departments are facing a new standard: clean is not clean unless you can see it. At HSPA 2025, experts emphasized that updated IFUs and borescope inspections must be built into routine workflows, not as extra tasks, but as core components of quality control and infection prevention.


Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste.    (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)

Building a Culture of Sharps Safety Requires More Than Just Tools

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 25th 2025
Podcast

Sharps safety isn’t just an operating room issue—it’s a system-wide concern that demands stronger policies, consistent reporting, and cross-departmental collaboration to truly protect health care workers.


UNESCO sign in Juodkrante, Lithuania (Adobe Stock by BOOCYS)

US Withdrawal From UNESCO Signals a Dangerous Step Back for Global Science

Infection Control Today® Editorial Staff
July 22nd 2025
Article

In a decision heavy with consequence and light on foresight, the US has once again chosen to walk away from UNESCO, leaving behind not just a seat at the table, but a legacy of global scientific leadership that now lies in question.


Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste.  (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)

Breaking the Cycle of Silence: Why Sharps Injuries Go Unreported and What Can Be Done

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
Published: July 24th 2025 | Updated: July 23rd 2025
Podcast

Despite decades of progress in health care safety, a quiet but dangerous culture still lingers: many health care workers remain afraid to report sharps injuries, fearing blame more than the wound itself.


A mother and child having online telemedicine consultation with remote doctor about cold and flu virus treatment.  (Adobe Stock 479767497 Studio Romantic)

Telemedicine's Transformative Role in PPE Distribution and Sterile Equipment Management

Stephan Hawke
July 22nd 2025
Article

In an era defined by digital transformation and post-pandemic urgency, telemedicine has evolved beyond virtual visits to become a vital infrastructure for delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) and managing sterile supplies. By enabling real-time forecasting, remote quality control, and equitable distribution, telemedicine is revolutionizing how health care systems protect both patients and providers.


Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste. (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)

Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 18th 2025
Article

Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.

Related Content
Advertisement

Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH; Brandon M. Gantt, MHA, CRCST, CHL, CER, LSSGBH; and Jill E. Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, CHL, an infection preventionist in Atlanta, Georgia.

Better Alerts, Better Cleaning: Why IFU Updates and Borescope Protocols Must Be Built Into SPD Workflows

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 24th 2025
Article

Sterile processing departments are facing a new standard: clean is not clean unless you can see it. At HSPA 2025, experts emphasized that updated IFUs and borescope inspections must be built into routine workflows, not as extra tasks, but as core components of quality control and infection prevention.


Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste.    (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)

Building a Culture of Sharps Safety Requires More Than Just Tools

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 25th 2025
Podcast

Sharps safety isn’t just an operating room issue—it’s a system-wide concern that demands stronger policies, consistent reporting, and cross-departmental collaboration to truly protect health care workers.


UNESCO sign in Juodkrante, Lithuania (Adobe Stock by BOOCYS)

US Withdrawal From UNESCO Signals a Dangerous Step Back for Global Science

Infection Control Today® Editorial Staff
July 22nd 2025
Article

In a decision heavy with consequence and light on foresight, the US has once again chosen to walk away from UNESCO, leaving behind not just a seat at the table, but a legacy of global scientific leadership that now lies in question.


Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste.  (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)

Breaking the Cycle of Silence: Why Sharps Injuries Go Unreported and What Can Be Done

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
Published: July 24th 2025 | Updated: July 23rd 2025
Podcast

Despite decades of progress in health care safety, a quiet but dangerous culture still lingers: many health care workers remain afraid to report sharps injuries, fearing blame more than the wound itself.


A mother and child having online telemedicine consultation with remote doctor about cold and flu virus treatment.  (Adobe Stock 479767497 Studio Romantic)

Telemedicine's Transformative Role in PPE Distribution and Sterile Equipment Management

Stephan Hawke
July 22nd 2025
Article

In an era defined by digital transformation and post-pandemic urgency, telemedicine has evolved beyond virtual visits to become a vital infrastructure for delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) and managing sterile supplies. By enabling real-time forecasting, remote quality control, and equitable distribution, telemedicine is revolutionizing how health care systems protect both patients and providers.


Set of bright yellow sharps containers with biohazard labels and red lids used in clinics and hospitals for safe disposal of medical needles and waste. (Adobe Stock 1521632893 by Maksim)

Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 18th 2025
Article

Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
x
Advertise
About Us
Editorial Board
Contact Us
Job Board
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.
Home
About Us
News