America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2009
Childhood Immunization
Rates of childhood immunization are one measure of how extensively children are protected from serious vaccine-preventable illnesses. Combined immunization series (often referred to as the 4:3:1:3:3 or 4:3:1:3:3:1 combined series) rates measure receipt of the number of doses of the five or six vaccinations that have been recommended since 1991 or earlier.
Indicator HC3: Percentage of children ages 19–35 months with the 4:3:1:3:3 and 4:3:1:3:3:1 combined series of vaccinations, 1996–2007
NOTE: The 4:3:1:3:3 series consists of 4 doses (or more) of diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis (DTP) vaccines, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT), or diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and any acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines; 3 doses (or more) of poliovirus vaccines; 1 dose (or more) of any measles-containing vaccine; 3 doses (or more) of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines; and 3 doses (or more) of hepatitis B vaccines. The 4:3:1:3:3:1 series consists of the 4:3:1:3:3 series plus 1 dose (or more) of varicella vaccine. The collection of coverage rate estimates for this series began in 2002. The recommended immunization schedule for children is available at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm#printable.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and National Center for Health Statistics, National Immunization Survey.
- In 2007, 80 percent of children ages 19–35 months had received the recommended combined five-vaccine series, and 77 percent of children ages 19–35 months had received the recommended combined six-vaccine series.
- The combined five-vaccine series percentages have remained relatively stable since 2003. Reporting the combined six-vaccine series began in 2002, and percentages have steadily increased from 66 percent.
- Children in families below the poverty level had a lower rate of coverage (77 percent) with the combined five-vaccine series than children at or above the poverty level (81 percent), and children in families below the poverty level had a lower rate of coverage (75 percent) with the combined six-vaccine series than children at or above the poverty level (78 percent).
- Coverage with the combined five-vaccine series was higher among White, non-Hispanic children than among Black, non-Hispanic children. Eighty-one percent of White, non-Hispanic children received these vaccinations, compared with 78 percent of Black, non-Hispanic children. Coverage with the combined six-vaccine series was similar across all racial and ethnic groups.
- In 2007, the total coverage rate for each individual vaccine in the combination series was greater than or equal to 90 percent, except for children receiving four doses (or more) of the diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. The total coverage rate for DTP was 85 percent and has not changed during the past 5 years (DTP is any diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis vaccines, including diphtheria, tetanus toxoids and any acellular pertussis vaccine).
- In 2007, 75 percent of children ages 19–35 months received four doses (or more) of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). This vaccine was recommended in 2000, and the full series includes four doses. Shortages occurred during 2001–2004, so recommendations were made to defer the third dose or third and fourth doses.45
45 For more information, refer to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages/past/pneumo-2001.htm.