Measuring immunization coverage among preschool children: Past, present, and future opportunities

Daniel A. Salmon, Philip J. Smith, Ann Marie Navar, William K.Y. Pan, Saad B. Omer, James A. Singleton, Neal A. Halsey

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Control of vaccine-preventable diseases depends on maintaining high levels of immunization coverage. Immunization coverage among preschool children remains suboptimal in some areas and sociodemographic subgroups, as well as for more recently introduced vaccines, leaving susceptible young children vulnerable to complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. This paper reviews approaches historically used to measure immunization coverage among preschool children in the United States. The strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to measuring immunization coverage among preschool children are explored, with emphasis on the current means to measure national immunization coverage - the National Immunization Survey. Methods for measuring immunization coverage among preschool children at local and state levels are also evaluated. Future opportunities and challenges for measuring immunization coverage at the local, state, and national levels are explored.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)27-40
Number of pages14
JournalEpidemiologic Reviews
Volume28
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Child health services
  • Child, preschool
  • Communicable disease control
  • Comparative study
  • Immunization programs
  • Immunization schedule
  • Vaccination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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