In 2007 immunization coverage levels of approximately 90 percent were attained for most of the recommended immunizations on the U.S. schedule1 for children aged 19 to 35 months2. While those numbers are impressive, it is also estimated that 22 percent of preschool-aged children are still not receiving all of the recommended routine vaccinations which protect against a range of common childhood diseases. Despite the fact that from 2006 to 2007 there was a 0.5 percent increase in the number of fully immunized preschool-aged children, each year an estimated one million of these children are still not fully immunized on time. Leaving a single child unprotected is not acceptable in this affluent nation.
Rosalynn Carter
Preschoolers are particularly vulnerable to a host of childhood diseases and therefore, are most in need of comprehensive, preventive vaccinations. However, this is the age group with the lowest immunization rates. While coverage levels are consistent across all racial and ethnic groups, the gap in rates is particularly high in poor communities.
From a variety of perspectives, including medical and financial, the public benefits when all children are vaccinated. High vaccination rates are important safeguards against the spread of epidemics. Numerous cost-benefit analyses show that vaccination against the most common childhood diseases delivers large returns on investment -- saving $16.50 in medical costs and indirect costs, such as disability, for every $1 spent on immunization3.
Ensuring that all children have access to the full series of immunizations in a timely manner is achievable. Closing the vaccination gap should be high on our list of national health priorities.
Childhood Vaccines Save Lives and Money
- Routine childhood immunization
- 33,000 deaths prevented
- $43 billion saved
| Disease | Cases Prevented |
Deaths Prevented |
|---|---|---|
| Diptheria | 247,212 |
24,721 |
| Tetanus | 146 |
22 |
| Pertussis | 2,614,874 |
1,008 |
| Polio | 60,974 |
723 |
| Measles | 3,433,036 |
2,794 |
| Mumps | 2,095,917 |
11 |
| Rubella | 1,784,030 |
14 |
| CRS | 602 |
66 |
| Hib | 17,469 |
661 |
| Hepatitis B | 207,353 |
3,024 |
| Varicella | 3,788,807 |
57 |
| Total | 13,622,004 |
33,101 |
| For every $1 spent: | |
|---|---|
| DTaP saves4 | $27.00 |
| MMR saves5 | $26.00 |
| H. Influenza type b saves6 | $5.40 |
| Perinatal Hep B saves7 | $14.70 |
| Varicella saves8 | $5.40 |
| Inactivated Polio (IPV) saves9 | $5.45 |
Sources
3 Zhou, et al., Arch PediatrAdolescMed,
159(Dec 2005):1136-1144
4 Ekwuemeet al, Arch PediatrAdolescMed, 154(Aug 2000): 797-803
5 Zhou, et al., J Infect Dis, 189(2004): S131-145
6 Zhou, et al., Pediatrics, 110:4(Oct 2002): 653-661
7 Zhou, et al., CDC unpublisheddata
8 Lieu, et al., JAMA, 271(1994): 375-81
9 Zhou, et al., CDC unpublished data Childhood