Immunizations
Definition: The percent of children aged 19 through 35 months who have received the full schedule of recommended immunizations.*
Estimated Vaccine Coverage of Children Ages 19 through 35 Months | |||||||||||
Survey Year | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
MD | 77.4% | 76.0% | 78.6% | 78.1% | 91.3% | 80.2% | 84.0% | 73.3% | 81.1% | 73.0% | 81.9% |
US | 72.5% | 76.0% | 76.1% | 76.9% | 77.4% | 76.1% | 76.0% | 74.9% | 77.0% | 71.9% | 77.7% |
Data Source: National Immunization Survey (NIS) of children aged 19-35 months using random digit dialing methods.
Story Behind the Data:
The immunization status of young children is a positive predictor of avoidance of illness, death, disability, or developmental delays associated with immunization-preventable diseases. Maryland’s 2013 immunization rates were above the national average for children aged 19 through 35 months, at 81.9% versus the national average of 77.7%.**
Maryland continues to exhibit strong immunization rates amongst enrolled kindergarteners. To comply with the Code of Maryland Regulations, schools report the number of fully-vaccinated students enrolled in kindergarten. From 2003 to 2013, greater than 98% of kndergarten students have met the school immunization requirements. More than 99% of the kindergarteners surveyed had immunization records. The rates of DTaP, Polio, and Varicella vaccinations were more than 99%. Some counties reported close to 100% vaccination rates.
In addition, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s ongoing work with private vaccine providers through an initiative known as VFC/AFIX (Assessment, Feedback, Incentive, Exchange), an analytical and quality control tool, has shown positive results. VFC/AFIX involves annual visits to physicians’ offices, where patient charts are reviewed to ensure immunization records are up-to-date. In those instances where they are incomplete, the physician is urged to correct the missed opportunity.
Additional Resources:
- For more information on the work of Maryland’s Center for Immunization, visit ideha.dhmh.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/IMMUN
Footnotes:
*The recommended full schedule is 4 doses of diphtheria vaccine, 3 doses of polio vaccine, 1 dose of measles-containing vaccine, 3 doses of Hib vaccine, 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine, and 1 dose of varicella vaccine (4:3:1:3:3:1 series).
**For 2013 data, the 95% confidence interval was ±7.2% for Maryland, compared with ±1.4% for the national data. Therefore, Maryland data may not reflect immunization coverage as accurately as the national data.