[NVIC] Flu Vaccine Rates Low

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" Protecting the health and informed consent rights of children since 1982. "

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NVIC Note: There has been a consistent problem, year after year with people

wanting to take the flu vaccine. Be prepared to see it added into state laws

in the next year so your child will not have a choice. If people believed

the vaccine was safe and effective there might be less reluctance. Many

parents choose not to give it to their children because most of the vaccine

in use is loaded with mercury despite repeated attempts by consumers to get

the mercury out.-KMW

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/522829

Medscape

Childhood Influenza Vaccination Rates in US Still Low Despite Recommendation

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Feb 02 - Influenza vaccination rates in young

children improved, but were still low, two years after the CDC's Advisory

Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) encouraged universal vaccination

for this age group in 2002, new research shows.

The ACIP suggested that when feasible, all children between 6 and 23 months

of age as well as their direct and regular contacts should receive annual

influenza vaccinations. Starting in the 2004-2005 influenza season, this

" encouragement " was upgraded to " recommendation " status.

In the present study, Dr. T. A. Santibanez and colleagues, from the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, analyzed data from a

national survey to determine childhood influenza vaccination coverage for

the 2003-2004 influenza season. The researchers' findings appear in the

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for February 3.

During the study period, 17.5% of children between 6 and 23 months of age

received at least one influenza vaccine and just 8.4% were fully vaccinated

against influenza, " based on ACIP recommendations for 2 doses of influenza

vaccines for previously unvaccinated children aged <9 years and 1 does for

previously vaccinated children aged <9 years. "

The percentage of children receiving at least one influenza vaccine varied

widely by state and urban area, ranging from 5.7% for Miami-Dade County in

Florida to 47.6% for Rhode Island. Regarding full vaccination rates, n

County in Indiana had the lowest at 2.0%, while Rhode Island again had the

highest at 29.1%.

" This report underscores the need to fully implement the new recommendation

for children aged 6 to 23 months and household contacts of children <2 years

to reduce the number of preventable influenza-related hospitalizations among

children, " the researchers emphasize.

In a synopsis released to the media, the CDC said: " Efforts should continue

during February to vaccinate young children with the recommended number of

doses. "

Mor Mortal Wkly Rep CDC Surveill Summ 2006;55:100-103.

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