Background and aim Children require age-specific vaccination in order to prevent against childhood morbidities and mortality. The CDC provides the guidelines for immunization schedule. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of age-specific vaccination schedule, and to determine whether or not Asians demonstrate better compliance relative to other racial/ethnic groups.

Methods We retrospectively assessed a prospectively collected data on vaccination received in our institution during 2010. To test the study specific hypothesis on racial/ethnic disparities in compliance with the CDC recommendation, we used chi squared and multivariable logistic regression model.

Results There were 5867 children who received vaccines during this period. The racial distribution indicated: Whites/Caucasians, 1,917(32.7%), Blacks/African Americans (AA), 2904(49.5%), Asian, 134(2.3%), Hawaiian native/Pacific Islander,4 (0.1%), American Indian/Alaskan Native(AI/AN),9(0.2%), and some other race, 727(12.4%). Asians (97.0%) relative to AA (93.1%) and Caucasian (91%) demonstrated the highest compliance in the age-specific vaccines combined, χ²(7)=24.5, p=0.001. With crude analysis, AA and Caucasians, relative to Asians were 58% (Odds ratio [OR]=0.42, 95% CI, 0.15–1.14), and 69%, (OR=0.31, 95%CI, 0.11–0.85) less likely to adhere to the CDC schedule respectively. However, after controlling for insurance status, the significant racial disparities did not persist between Asians and Caucasians, adjusted OR, 0.45, 99%CI, 0.08–1.11.

Conclusion In a large pediatric cohort, Asians demonstrated highest compliance in vaccine schedule, indicative of racial disparities. Therefore, knowledge of predisposing factors to impaired compliance among racial/ethnic groups in vaccines schedule may assist in narrowing health disparities in this direction as well as facilitate our efforts in addressing preventable childhood diseases.