[NVIC] Flu Vaccine Rates Low
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E-NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL VACCINE INFORMATION CENTER
Vienna, Virginia http://www.nvic.org
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UNITED WAY/COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN
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"Protecting the health and informed consent rights of children since 1982."
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NVIC Note: There has been a consistent problem, year after year with people
wanting to take the flu vaccine. Be prepared to see it added into state laws
in the next year so your child will not have a choice. If people believed
the vaccine was safe and effective there might be less reluctance. Many
parents choose not to give it to their children because most of the vaccine
in use is loaded with mercury despite repeated attempts by consumers to get
the mercury out.-KMW
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/522829
Childhood Influenza Vaccination Rates in US Still Low Despite Recommendation
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Feb 02 - Influenza vaccination rates in young
children improved, but were still low, two years after the CDC's Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) encouraged universal vaccination
for this age group in 2002, new research shows.
The ACIP suggested that when feasible, all children between 6 and 23 months
of age as well as their direct and regular contacts should receive annual
influenza vaccinations. Starting in the 2004-2005 influenza season, this
"encouragement" was upgraded to "recommendation" status.
In the present study, Dr. T. A. Santibanez and colleagues, from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, analyzed data from a
national survey to determine childhood influenza vaccination coverage for
the 2003-2004 influenza season. The researchers' findings appear in the
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for February 3.
During the study period, 17.5% of children between 6 and 23 months of age
received at least one influenza vaccine and just 8.4% were fully vaccinated
against influenza, "based on ACIP recommendations for 2 doses of influenza
vaccines for previously unvaccinated children aged <9 years and 1 does for
previously vaccinated children aged <9 years.
The percentage of children receiving at least one influenza vaccine varied
widely by state and urban area, ranging from 5.7% for Miami-Dade County in
Florida to 47.6% for Rhode Island. Regarding full vaccination rates, Marion
County in Indiana had the lowest at 2.0%, while Rhode Island again had the
highest at 29.1%.
"This report underscores the need to fully implement the new recommendation
for children aged 6 to 23 months and household contacts of children <2 years
to reduce the number of preventable influenza-related hospitalizations among
children, the researchers emphasize.
In a synopsis released to the media, the CDC said: Efforts should continue
during February to vaccinate young children with the recommended number of
doses."
Mor Mortal Wkly Rep CDC Surveill Summ 2006;55:100-103.
