About 77% Of Children Receive All Vaccinations Recommended By CDC

About 77% of young children nationwide received all vaccinations recommended by CDC in 2006, an increase from 76.1% in 2005, according to an annual survey released by the agency on Thursday, the Boston Globereports. The recommended vaccinations, which children receive betweenages 19 months to 35 months, include four doses of diphtheria, tetanusand pertussis vaccines; three doses of polio vaccine; measles, mumpsand rubella vaccine; three doses of haemophilus influenzae type B, orHib, vaccine; three doses of hepatitis B vaccine; and one or more dosesof chickenpox vaccine.

According to the survey, among states,Massachusetts had the highest rate of young children who received allof the recommended vaccinations at 83.6%, and Nevada had the lowestrate at 59.5%. Among cities, Boston had the highest rate of youngchildren who received all of the recommended vaccinations at 81.4%, andDetroit had the lowest rate at 65.2%, the survey found. In addition,the survey found that 74% of young black and low-income childrennationwide received all of the recommended vaccinations.

Melinda Wharton, deputy director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseasesat CDC, said, "Thanks to this high level of coverage, and due to thegood work of immunization providers and the commitment from parents,the diseases that these vaccinations prevent are at very low rates inthis country." CDC officials said that they hope to increase the rateof young children nationwide who receive all of the recommendedvaccinations to 80% by 2010 (Donnelly, Boston Globe, 8/31).

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