According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Immunization Survey, in 2008 immunization coverage levels of 90 percent or better for five of the eight vaccines (Polio, Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Hepatitis B, and Varicella) were achieved. The estimate for the 4:3:1:3:3:1 series (4 doses of Diphtheria/Tetanus/Acellular Pertussis (DTaP), 3 doses of Polio, 1 dose of MMR, 3 doses of Hib, 3 doses of Hepatitis B, and 1 dose of Varicella) was 76.1% which was a slight decrease from the 2007 estimate of 77.4% . Coverage levels of Hib decreased from 92.6% in 2007 to 90.9% in 2008. This was most likely due to the shortage of Hib vaccine which resulted in a recommendation to defer the routine Hib vaccine booster dose administered at age 12--15 months.
Rosalynn Carter
As many as 22 percent of preschool-aged children are 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.
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.
One of the positive observations from the survey is that among racial/ethnic groups, coverage estimates varied little. In fact, after the results were adjusted to account for poverty, the coverage estimates were not significantly lower for any ethnic group when compared with whites. While this lack of racial/ethnic disparity in vaccine coverage levels is a positive observation from the survey, the gap in coverage levels that persists between children who live in poverty and those who do not means that the struggle to overcome barriers to accessing preventive health care among children living below poverty is far from over. We must continue in our efforts to reduce contributing cost issues such as those associated with vaccine administration, well-child visits, transportation, and lost time from work if we wish to overcome the poverty barrier and increase the overall immunization coverage rates.
From a variety of perspectives, including medical and financial, the public benefits when all children are vaccinated. High vaccination rates are one of, if not our most important safeguard 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 immunization1.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 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 saves2 | $27.00 |
| MMR saves3 | $26.00 |
| H. Influenza type b saves4 | $5.40 |
| Perinatal Hep B saves5 | $14.70 |
| Varicella saves6 | $5.40 |
| Inactivated Polio (IPV) saves7 | $5.45 |
Sources
1 Zhou, et al., Arch PediatrAdolescMed,
159(Dec 2005):1136-1144
2 Ekwuemeet al, Arch PediatrAdolescMed, 154(Aug 2000): 797-803
3 Zhou, et al., J Infect Dis, 189(2004): S131-145
4 Zhou, et al., Pediatrics, 110:4(Oct 2002): 653-661
5 Zhou, et al., CDC unpublisheddata
6 Lieu, et al., JAMA, 271(1994): 375-81
7 Zhou, et al., CDC unpublished data Childhood