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Aim: Evaluation of the coverage of primary diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), poliomyelitis, hepatitis B (HBV) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine doses recommended before the age of 18 months in 7-year-old school children in Flanders, Belgium. Meningococcal serogroup C and DT-polio vaccines offered respectively as catch-up and booster vaccinations were also evaluated. Methods: Parents of 792 children born in Flanders in 1997 and selected by cluster sampling were interviewed at home in 2005. Vaccination data since infancy were collected retrospectively from vaccination documents and school health records. Results: Coverage rates were 88.0% for the first dose of MMR, and 72.0%, 84.2% and 91.4% for the recommended HBV, DTP and poliomyelitis primary vaccine doses, respectively. These rates included catch-up of missed infant MMR (4.9%) and HBV (6.4%) vaccinations. In addition, 88.3% of the target group received the DT-polio booster dose recommended at 6 years of age and 83.1% a meningococcal C vaccine dose. Preventive public health services as well as private physicians were involved to a varying extent. A lower socioeconomic status of the family was associated with a higher risk of nonvaccination. Conclusion: Vaccinators in Flanders reach children relatively well during infancy and at school age, but catch-up of missed infant vaccine doses, especially MMR, should be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence and severity of caries experience in the primary dentition of preschool children and to assess the association of disease distribution with oral hygiene levels, reported oral health behaviours and socio-demographic factors. Methods: Study samples comprised 1250 3-year-old and 1283 5-year-old pre-school children from four distinct geographical areas in Flanders. Information on oral hygiene and dietary habits, oral health behaviours and socio-demographic variables was collected using questionnaires completed by the parents. Clinical examinations were performed using standardized criteria. Caries experience was recorded at the level of cavitation (d3 level). Simple as well as multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed in order to identify factors associated with prevalence and severity of caries experience. Results: Visible plaque was present in 31% of 3-year-olds and 37% of 5-year-olds. In 3-year-olds, 7% presented with caries experience while this was the case in 31% of 5-year-olds. Multivariable logistic regression revealed significant associations, in 3-year-olds, of caries experience with presence of dental plaque (OR = 7.93; 95% CI: 2.56–24.55) and reported consumption of sugared drinks at night (OR = 7.96; 95% CI: 1.57–40.51). In 5-year-olds, significant associations were seen with age (OR = 7.79; 95% CI: 2.38–25.43), gender (OR = 0.37 with 95% CI: 0.19–0.71 for girls), presence of visible dental plaque (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.64–6.89) and reported habit of having sugar-containing drinks in between meals (OR = 2.60 with 95% CI: 1.16–5.84 and OR = 3.18 with 95% CI: 1.39–7.28, respectively for 1×/day and > 1×/day versus not every day). In 5-year-olds with caries experience (30.8% of total sample), the severity of disease was further analysed (d3mft between 1 and 4 versus d3mft 5 or higher). Multivariable analyses showed a significant association with gender [girls more likely to have higher disease levels; OR = 4.67 (95% CI: 1.65–13.21)] and with presence of plaque (OR = 3.91 with 95% CI: 1.23–12.42). Conclusions: Presence of visible plaque accumulation and reported consumption of sugared drinks were associated with prevalence of caries experience in Flemish preschool children. Severity of disease was associated with gender and with presence of plaque. Results underline the importance of plaque control and diet management from very young age on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Survey studies provide more accurate infant vaccine coverage results in Flanders. [•] Underparticipation in immunisation register significantly impacts on coverage estimates. [•] Underregistration by vaccinators using the system amplifies the difference with survey studies. [•] Different administration dates were observed between data sources for 4–8% of vaccine doses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Quantitative information on parents’ preferences regarding multiple vaccine injections and on work-loss due to vaccination is important to guide decision making on the use of combination vaccines for universal vaccination. Our survey in families of 1347 toddlers (18–24 months) and 1315 adolescents residing in Flanders, Belgium, revealed common attitudes in both age groups. The majority of parents would allow maximum two injections in one visit. 39% were not willing to pay anything to avoid a concomitant injection, whereas the remainder mentioned amounts around a median of €20. The responses were hardly influenced by the socioeconomic determinants studied and the concordance between the number of concomitant injections parents would allow and their willingness-to-pay assessed by an open-ended question was limited, which suggests that more sensitive quantification using other methods would be useful. Work-loss due to vaccination was assessed for infants only and was rare (4.5%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To assess changes in infant vaccination coverage in Flanders since 1999, an EPI-survey was performed in 2005. The parents of 1354 children aged 18–24 months were interviewed at home and the vaccination documents were checked. Several factors possibly related to vaccination status were examined with parametric and non-parametric methods. The coverage rate of recommended vaccines, i.e. poliomyelitis, tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis, H. influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B, measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) and meningococcal C, reached at least 92.2%, which is a significant rise for MMR, hepatitis B and Hib since 1999. The vaccinating physician, the employment situation of the mother and the family income were significant predictive factors for having received all recommended vaccine doses (complete schedule), also when considering only doses that were according to minimal age and interval criteria (valid schedule). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]