ATLANTA, Aug 27, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. child immunization rates remain
stable at 76.1 percent, not a statistically significant difference from the 2007
estimate of 77.4 percent, officials said.
The National Immunization Survey published Thursday in the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report said the
survey for 2008 included children age 19-35 months and born during January
2005-June 2007.
"Vaccination is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their
children's health," Dr. Melinda Wharton, acting director of the National Center
for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a statement.
"Thanks to the hard work of doctors and nurses and other immunization providers
and the commitment of parents, rates are still high, but we must all continue to
work hard to reach those children who are not fully vaccinated."
The national goal for immunization coverage for toddlers is 80 percent, Wharton
said.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International