Child Vaccination Rates Rise

Rates of vaccination for children rose between 2009 and 2010, according to results of a national survey released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Immunization Survey (NIS) measures vaccination rates among children 19 to 35 months old, and its new report measures vaccine coverage in 2010 for children born between January 2007 and July 2009.

Despite widespread reports of resistance to vaccination, the survey found increased rates of coverage for almost all vaccines recommended for children. Between 2009 and 2010, the nationwide coverage rate for at least one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) increased from 90.0% to 91.5%; at least four doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) from 80.4% to 83.3%; the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) from 60.8% to 64.1%; at least two doses of hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) from 46.6% to 49.7%;the rotavirus vaccine from 54.8% to 66.8%; and the full series of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine from 54.8% to 66.8%.

In addition to the MMR vaccine, coverage rates for the poliovirus vaccine (93.3%), at least three doses of HepB (91.8%), and the varicella vaccine (90.4%) were all above the target set for them of 90%. The portion of children who had received no vaccines remained under 1%. The coverage rate for the MMR vaccine, which is the focus of suspicion in some quarters, rose after dipping from 92.1% in 2008 to 90.0% in 2009.

The NIS calls families randomly to conduct surveys and then sends a follow-up survey by mail to the participants’ vaccination providers. In 2010, 63.8% of contacted households took part, and providers returned vaccination records for 71.2% of children with completed household interviews, for a total of 17,004 children.

Source

National and State Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19--35 Months --- United States, 2010 [Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report]