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November 6, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Only 9 Percent of U.S. Toddlers Get Immunized on Time"

Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (11/05/02); McCook, Alison

Using data from a National Immunization Survey taken in 2000, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) report that just 9 percent of all children in the United States actually receive all the vaccines that are recommended by the time they turn two years of age.  Elizabeth T. Luman and colleagues found that most two-year-olds did not receive at least one shot at the recommended age, and they note that vaccinations given too early could provide less than ideal protection, while shots given late mean that the child is unprotected for a time. Their report in the November issue of Pediatrics notes that only 24 percent of the infants studied had received the recommended shots to prevent Haemophilus influenzae type b, and just 27 percent had been properly vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.  Luman noted that while there are many shots to keep track of, parents can use "reminder systems" from healthcare professionals about which vaccines are needed when, and they can also learn more on the CDC's Web site.

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