This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Routine vaccination rates increased, remained stable in 2013
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Vaccination coverage for all routinely recommended childhood vaccines increased or remained stable in 2013, according to study findings in MMWR.
Laurie D. Elam-Evans, PhD, of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and colleagues used National Immunization Survey responses for 13,611 children, aged 19 to 35 months, to determine national estimates of vaccination coverage in 2013.
The national Healthy People 2020 target of 90% vaccination coverage was achieved for at least one dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (91.9%); at least three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (90.8%); at least three doses of poliovirus vaccine (92.7%); and at least one dose of varicella vaccine (91.2%).
Coverage was below the Healthy People 2020 target for at least four doses of DTaP (83.1%); at least four doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (82%); the full series of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine (82%); at least two doses of hepatitis A vaccine (54.7%); rotavirus vaccine (72.6%); and the hepatitis B birth dose (74.2%).
Vaccination coverage remained stable from 2012 to 2013 for all vaccinations; except for increases in the hepatitis B birth dose and rotavirus vaccination, which increased by 2.6 percentage points and 4 percentage points, respectively.
The percentage of children who received no vaccinations remained low, at about 1%.
Children living below the federal poverty level had lower vaccination coverage compared with children living at or above the poverty level. The largest disparities were observed for at least four doses of DTaP; full series of Hib vaccine; at least four doses of PCV; and rotavirus vaccination.
Seventeen states had MMR vaccination rates less than 90%.
Anne Schuchat
“Reaching and maintaining high coverage across states and socioeconomic groups is needed to prevent resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases,” the researchers wrote.
“I want to personally recognize the hard work of doctors and nurses coping with many challenges in the course of clinical work, and commend parents who, despite competing responsibilities, continue to prioritize immunization to keep their children health and safe. These people are central in keeping young children healthy by ensuring they receive and recommend vaccines on schedule,” Anne Schuchat, PhD, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a press release.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts