Are Kindergarten Kids Getting Their Vaccines?
Are Kindergarten Kids Getting Their Vaccines?
Aug. 23, 2012 -- Most kindergartners are up to date with their vaccines, but federal immunization goals nevertheless remain unmet, the CDC says.
According to a CDC report, the average number of kids who have been vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella is 94.8%. Health officials have set their target at greater than 95%.
"Coverage is not the way it should be," says Jaime Deville, MD. Deville is a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital. He reviewed the report for WebMD.
"This report really confirms what's already well known," he says.
The report's authors point out that vaccine rates vary significantly from state to state. The five states that are doing the best job of vaccinating kids against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are:
The five states that need the most improvement when it comes to MMR vaccines are:
Childhood Illnesses Every Parent Must Know
According to a CDC report, the average number of kids who have been vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella is 94.8%. Health officials have set their target at greater than 95%.
"Coverage is not the way it should be," says Jaime Deville, MD. Deville is a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital. He reviewed the report for WebMD.
"This report really confirms what's already well known," he says.
The report's authors point out that vaccine rates vary significantly from state to state. The five states that are doing the best job of vaccinating kids against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are:
- Texas 99.3%
- Mississippi 99.2%
- Nebraska 99%
- Maryland 98.7%
- Louisiana 98.1%
The five states that need the most improvement when it comes to MMR vaccines are:
- Colorado 86.8%
- Pennsylvania 86.9%
- Kansas 88.2%
- Idaho 89.2%
- North Dakota 90.6%
Childhood Illnesses Every Parent Must Know