INITIALAn online study with and for parents of infants
Research into the relationship between the timing of immunisation and children's health
A large number of immunisations are recommended for infants in the first year of life. Vaccinations should also be given as early as possible to protect the youngest children. For various reasons, not all infants are immunised according to the recommended vaccination schedule. Furthermore, the immunisation schedules of the various European countries differ. It is unclear whether and how a delayed start to immunisation affects children's development. The INITIAL study is investigating this question.
Parents of infants and parents-to-be may be unsure or have questions about the increasingly recommended vaccinations in infancy. We are therefore also investigating whether and how parents would like to receive immunisation advice and information. We then develop a programme at Witten/Herdecke University that offers parents the support they need.
