ATLANTA — Influenza vaccination rates remain low among children aged 6–23 months, despite a recommendation made 3 years ago by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that children younger than age 2 years be vaccinated.
The latest data show complete coverage of only about 21% in this age group, Dr. Anthony Fiore of the CDC reported at the committee's fall meeting. “We still have a long way to go,” he said.
The findings are from the 2007 National Immunization Survey and are based on the 2006–2007 influenza season (MMWR 2008;57:1039-43). Data emerging from the 2007–2008 season appear similar to those from 2006–2007, Dr. Fiore noted.
Because children younger than age 2 years are at the greatest risk for influenza-related hospitalizations, ACIP in 2002 encouraged vaccination of this population, and in 2004 strengthened their stand by recommending vaccination.
According to the MMWR report, 32% of children aged 6–23 months received one or more doses of vaccine during the 2006–2007 flu season, and only 21% were fully vaccinated. Two doses given 4 weeks apart are recommended in children younger than age 9 years who are being vaccinated for the first time.
And there was substantial variability in vaccination coverage among states, according to the survey results. For example, in Mississippi, only about 9% of children were fully vaccinated, whereas in Rhode Island, nearly 48% were vaccinated. In most states, there was no significant increase in the percentage of children who were fully vaccinated, compared with the previous flu season.
“The findings underscore the need to increase interest in and access to influenza vaccination for more children in the United States. Further study is needed to identify knowledge deficits or logistical barriers that might contribute to continued low influenza vaccination coverage among young children,” the article states.
The authors also stated in an editorial note that health care providers can help improve vaccination coverage among young children by routinely informing parents about the “burden of influenza illness among young children and about the benefits and safety of preventing influenza with vaccination.”
They noted that proven strategies for reducing missed opportunities for vaccination include having standing orders to offer vaccine to all patients throughout the flu season, holding vaccination-only clinics, and using reminder/recall systems.
With coverage at 21%, “we still have a long way to go,” to vaccinate children aged 6–23 months, said Dr. Anthony Fiore. ©Parker Clayton Smith