Vaccination Rates Rise, But Some Fall Short of Targets

Coverage rates of a range of vaccinations recommended for children and adolescents increased between 2010 and 2011, according to the results of surveys reported in recent editions of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly. However, coverage rates of a number of vaccinations continue to fall short of targets.

For children aged 19 to 35 months, coverage rates remained above the target of 90% for at least 1 dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (91.6%), at least 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine (91.1%), at least 3 doses of the poliovirus vaccine (93.9%), and at least 1 dose of the varicella vaccine (90.8%). In addition, coverage with the rotavirus vaccine increased from 59.2% in 2010 to 67.3% in 2011, and coverage with the full series of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine increased from 66.8% to 80.4%.

For adolescents aged 13 to 17 years, coverage with at least 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine increased from 68.7% in 2010 to 78.2% in 2011; coverage with meningococcal conjugate vaccine increased from 62.7% to 70.5%. For girls, coverage with at least 1 dose of human papillomavirus vaccine increased from 48.7% to 53.0%. However, of these vaccines, only the Tdap coverage rate for adolescents aged 13 to 15 years is currently meeting the target.