Immunisation coverage in Australian children: a systematic review 1990-1998
Before the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) was set up, there was no national reporting system to determine how many Australian children were vaccinated. A major review of the scope and reliability of estimates of immunisation coverage in Australian children between 1990 and 1998. was therefore undertaken. This showed that the best national estimate of coverage before the ACIR was the 1995 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey. Comparison with other industrialised countries suggested lower coverage in Australia compared with estimates for the United Kingdom and USA. This document provides a benchmark for future studies. (Reference 39)
Abstract
The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) commenced operation in January 1996 and provides a comprehensive database of children's immunisations in Australia. The ACIR enables implementation of an immunisation recall and reminder system and improved surveillance and reporting of immunisation coverage. Before the introduction of the ACIR, the methods used in assessing coverage varied widely in design and quality, with few studies measuring coverage at national or statewide level. This is a systematic review of the scope and reliability of estimates of immunisation coverage available in Australia from 1990 to 1998. A total of 108 studies were identified of which 51 were classified as higher quality based on a range of criteria including whether they had a response rate of 50% or better. Commun Dis Intell 1999;23:145-170.
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(No 6, 10 June).