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Low vaccination levels of US preschool and school-age children. Retrospective assessments of vaccination coverage, 1991-1992
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1994
Year
Preschool DevelopmentEarly Childhood EducationVaccine HesitancyUs PreschoolSchool EntryPreventive MedicinePreventive PediatricsPediatric EpidemiologyLow Vaccination LevelsVaccine SurveillanceClinical EpidemiologyVaccination CoveragePublic HealthChild AssessmentVaccine SafetyPopulation ChildrenVaccine DevelopmentMedicineEarly Childhood DevelopmentVaccine TestingChildhood Vaccination SeriesCoverage LevelsEpidemiologyChild DevelopmentVaccinationRural HealthPediatricsVaccine EfficacyPreschool EducationChild Health PolicyPrecision Vaccinology
<h3>Objective.</h3> —To obtain estimates on (1) the percentage of children who were up-to-date on the recommended childhood vaccination series, (2) the percentage of children who were age-appropriately immunized, and (3) coverage levels by individual vaccines. <h3>Design.</h3> —Vaccination levels were estimated by conducting retrospective immunization coverage surveys of the school health records of children entering kindergarten or first grade in the 1990-1991 or 1991-1992 school year. A multistage cluster survey design was used. <h3>Setting.</h3> —Survey sites were selected from among the 60 largest urban areas in the United States. One small city and one rural area were selected for comparison. <h3>Results.</h3> —By their second birthday, 11% to 58% (median, 44%) of the children were fully vaccinated. Stricter measurement criteria lowered coverage levels further. Completed series levels at school entry were 71% to 96% (median, 87%). <h3>Conclusions.</h3> —Vaccination levels at the second birthday were far below the goal for the year 2000. All health providers need to administer vaccines according to the recommended schedule. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1994;271:833-839)