September 15, 2006 -- Childhood Immunizations at Record High with Fewer Racial Disparities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that 2005 childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children between 19 and 35 months of age remained at or near record highs, and for the first time in the past ten years, rates for the full series of recommended vaccines did not vary significantly by race and ethnicity. According to CDC’s annual National Immunization Survey released today, estimated immunization coverage rates in 2005 ranged from 79.5 percent for children of multiple race, 77.1 percent for Asian, 76.3 percent for black, 76 percent for white, and 75.6 percent for Hispanic children. CDC officials credit the federal Vaccines for Children program, which provides free vaccines for uninsured and underinsured children, and the 317 program, which encourages partnerships with healthcare providers to immunize children in working poor families who cannot afford the deductibles needed for full vaccination, for the relatively high coverage levels. As in recent years, there was wide variation in coverage levels among states and urban areas, ranging from 90.7 percent in Massachusetts to 62.9 percent in Vermont and from 84.5 percent for Jefferson County, Alabama (Birmingham) to 58.8 percent for Clark County, Nevada (Las Vegas).