Recent Studies from University of Tennessee Add New Data to COVID-19 (Uncovering Gaps in Childhood Vaccine Coverage: A Post-COVID-19 Analysis of Vaccine Disparities in Tennessee): Coronavirus – COVID-19

2026 FEB 11 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Vaccine Daily -- Data detailed on Coronavirus - COVID-19 have been presented. According to news reporting originating in Knoxville, Tennessee, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “PurposeTo examine the association between sociodemographic determinants and parent-reported up-to-date childhood vaccination status in Tennessee.DesignCross-sectional statewide survey.SettingAll 95 Tennessee counties, July 2022 to May 2024. Surveys were distributed at community outreach events (health fairs, Head Start programs, community baby showers), and community organizations (schools, daycares, and preschools).SampleParents or caregivers of children aged 18 years and younger (N = 8954).MeasuresThe primary outcome was parent-reported up-to-date childhood vaccination status.”

Financial support for this research came from Tennessee Department of Health.

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from the University of Tennessee, “Covariates included child’s age, health insurance status, parental race/ethnicity and education, household income, and rural/urban residency.AnalysisDescriptive statistics and log-binomial regression models were used to assess associations between sociodemographic factors and vaccination status. Stratified analyses were conducted by rural and urban status. Adjusted prevalence (aP) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with robust estimates were reported.ResultsOverall, 96.5% reported that their children were up-to-date on vaccinations. The lowest vaccination rates were observed among children of multiracial (86.4%), and Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (90.3%) parents. Children without health insurance had a significantly higher prevalence of under-vaccination (aP = 0.104; 95% CI, 0.079-0.137) compared to insured children (aP = 0.029; 95% CI, 0.025-0.033). Across both rural and urban areas, under-vaccination was significantly associated with insurance, race, and child age, while parental education was significant only in urban areas and household income only in rural areas.ConclusionsFindings highlight critical gaps in vaccine coverage tied to insurance, race, and age.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “Targeted outreach to underserved and low-education communities is needed to promote equity in childhood vaccination.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Uncovering Gaps in Childhood Vaccine Coverage: A Post-COVID-19 Analysis of Vaccine Disparities in Tennessee. American Journal of Health Promotion, 2026:8901171261421323. American Journal of Health Promotion can be contacted at: Sage Publications Inc, 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Elizabeth Sowell, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States. Additional authors for this research include Sanjaya Regmi, Allen Chenoa, Benjamin E. Jones, Clea McNeely, Nan M. Gaylord and Victoria Niederhauser.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171261421323. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

The publisher of the American Journal of Health Promotion can be contacted at: Sage Publications Inc, 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.

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