Immunizations

Definition:
The percent of children aged 19 through 35 months who have received the full schedule of recommended immunizations.*

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 2014 immunization rates were above the national average for children aged 19 through 35 months, at 77.8% versus the national average of 74.6%.**

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 2014, greater than 99% of kindergarten students have met the school immunization requirements.  More than 99% of the kindergarteners surveyed had immunization records, and the rates of DTaP, Polio, MMR, and Hepatitis B 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.

Notes

*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 2014 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.
***For more information on the work of Maryland’s Center for Immunization, visit here.