*3.3. Individuals Refusing Measles Vaccination*

A total of 4688 individuals aged 2 to 25 years had a vaccine refusal code on their GP record (0.7% of the full study population). Of these, 1814 had received one dose of measles-containing vaccine but not two. The proportion of recorded refusals were highest in those aged 2 and 3 years (over 1.0%).

In a univariable analysis comparing individuals who had received one dose of measlescontaining vaccine, with those who had a vaccine refusal code; those resident in urban areas were more likely to be vaccinated than have a refusal code compared to those resident in rural areas (OR 1.51 95% CI 1.40–1.63). Additionally, those with a recorded language of English or Welsh were more likely to be vaccinated (OR 1.53 95% CI 1.27–1.81), as well as those in less deprived areas compared to more deprived areas (OR 1.19 95% CI 1.06–1.35). Children born to mothers who were over 30 years of age were less likely to be vaccinated than have a refusal code, compared to those aged 26–30 years (OR 0.54 95% CI 0.46–0.62 for mothers aged over 40), as well as those with more siblings (OR 0.31 95% CI 0.24–0.40 if sixth or greater compared to first born) and those eligible for free school meals (OR 0.83 95% CI 0.76–0.91). Having a recorded religion of Buddhism (OR 0.27 95% CI 0.17–0.44) or Paganism (OR suppressed due to small numbers) was associated with being less likely to be vaccinated than have a refusal code, compared to those with no religion, whereas having a recorded religion of Christian was associated with being more likely to be vaccinated (OR 1.22 95% CI 1.11–1.34). Those in the combined Asian ethnic group were more likely to be vaccinated compared to those in the combined White ethnic group (OR 2.21 95% CI 1.57–3.24), whereas those in the combined Black ethnic group (OR 0.65 95% CI 0.45–0.98) or combined Mixed ethnic group (OR 0.70 95% CI 0.57–0.87) were less likely to be vaccinated than have a refusal code.
