Nursing and vaccination: evolution of the compliance with the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine

Abstract

Background: Immunization is an important activity per-formed by primary health care nurses in Portugal. Objectives: This study aims to assess the evolution of the compliance with the immunization strategy for the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Methodology: A study was conducted with 411 individu-als, born after 1970 in Portugal, by consulting immunization records (IRs) and health booklets (HBs). Results: The vaccination coverage rate was 38.88% in cohorts born before 1977 and higher than 95% in cohorts born after 1990. The administration according to the age criteria recommended by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) was associated with the participants’ birth generation and improved over time (r =-0.239, p = 0.001). Conclusion: In this sample, the MMR vaccine strategy complied with the objectives of the World Health Organization and DGS concerning the vaccination coverage rate and the adequacy of the immunization schedules according to the recommended age criteria.