Objective: To determine the percentage of parents in King County, Washington using an alternative childhood immunization schedule (ACIS) and the type of ACIS used.
Patient and methods: We distributed self-administered surveys to parents at 5 practices regarding the immunization schedule they planned to use or were using. Parents who selected an ACIS were asked to describe its main characteristics and information source.
Results: We received 517 surveys and included 502 in analysis. The percentage of parents using an ACIS was 9.4% (95% CI: 7%, 12.2%). Only 6% described their ACIS as the Dr. Sears Schedule, although the book in which it is featured was the most frequently cited ACIS information source (29%). There was a significant association between ACIS use and non-Hispanic white parents and parents of children 12-23 months old.
Conclusion(s): A minority of King County parents use an ACIS. The Dr. Sears Schedule does not predominate.
Keywords: AAP; ACIS; American Academy of Pediatrics; CDC; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; IOM; Immunizations; Institute of Medicine; PSPRN; Preventive services; Primary care; Puget Sound Pediatric Research Network; Vaccines; alternative childhood immunization schedules.
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