Over 90% of American 19-35 month-olds are being immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases, according to a new report issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The number of children who got no vaccinations at all is below 1%. Most experts and public health authorities see today’s report as “reassuring”.

Even so, in 2008 there were measles outbreaks among children whose parents had refused to have them vaccinated. Authorities believe there will still be pockets of areas where the number of unvaccinated children remains high.

Anne Schuchat, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said:

Nearly all parents are choosing to have their children protected against dangerous childhood diseases through vaccination.

While it’s encouraging to see immunization rates remaining high, we know that parents have questions about vaccines and we must continue to educate parents about the importance of vaccination to help avoid future resurgences in serious, preventable illnesses.

The latest report “2009 National Immunization Survey (NIS)” has data on vaccinations of children born between January 2006 and July 2008 in over 17,000 households. It found that over 90% of them were immunized against poliovirus, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and chickenpox (Varicella).

The number of young children being vaccinated against hepatitis A and the birth dose of hepatitis B has risen considerably, the CDC reports.

The rotavirus vaccine, which was first licensed in 2006 had been administered to 44% of children aged 19-35 months in 2008/2009.

There was a national shortage of Haemophilus influenzae B vaccine in 2008, resulting in a drop of 6.4 points in the percentage of 19-35 month-olds who were immunized to 83.6%. Health authorities say vaccine supplies are now adequate.

Dr. Schuchat added that vaccination rates vary considerable between US states.

The following vaccine-preventable disease shots are recommended immunizations for children from birth through 6 years of age:

  • Diphtheria (Can be prevented by DTaP vaccine)*
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Can be prevented by Hib vaccine)
  • Hepatitis A (Can be prevented by HepA vaccine)
  • Hepatitis B (Can be prevented by HepB vaccine)
  • Influenza (Can be prevented by annual flu vaccine)
  • Measles (Can be prevented by MMR vaccine)**
  • Mumps (Can be prevented by MMR vaccine)**
  • Pertussis (Whooping Cough) (Can be prevented by DTaP vaccine)*
  • Pneumococcal Disease (Can be prevented by PCV vaccine)
  • Polio (Can be prevented by IPV vaccine)
  • Rotavirus (Can be prevented by RV vaccine)
  • Rubella (German Measles) (Can be prevented by MMR vaccine)**
  • Tetanus (Lockjaw) (Can be prevented by DTaP vaccine)*
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) (Can be prevented by Varicella vaccine)

* DTaP is a combination vaccine that can prevent Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
**MMR is a combination vaccine that can prevent Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.

Source: CDC

Written by Christian Nordqvist