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Immunizations

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:

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.

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