Delaware ranks in Top 5 in nation for childhood immunization

Delaware ranks third in the nation for its percentage of immunized children ages 19-35 months, and seventh for its percentage of adolescents receiving the recommended trio of human papillomavirus, meningococcal, and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccines, according to a recent national rankings report.

In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the National Immunization Survey results for 2015. Based on the results of this survey, Delaware was recognized with awards for outstanding progress toward Healthy People 2020 goals in the following three areas:

• Outstanding progress toward the Healthy People 2020 target of 70 percent for influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months to 17 years during the 2015-16 influenza season. Delaware had a rate of 69.2 percent, a 3 percent increase from the 2014-15 influenza season.
• Outstanding progress toward the Healthy People 2020 targets of 80 percent for nine selected vaccinations for children aged 19-35 months.
• Outstanding progress toward the Healthy People 2020 targets of 80 percent coverage for each of the three vaccines (one dose of TDaP vaccine, one dose of meningitis vaccine, and three doses of human papilloma virus vaccine) among adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. Delaware has exceeded the targets for the first two vaccines but despite progress, still falls below the target for HPV vaccine.

"This achievement is an excellent example of collaboration at work as immunizations are delivered by many different partners," said Division of Public Health Immunization Program Director Jim Talbott, who accepted the awards at the National Immunization Conference in Atlanta, Ga.

The National Immunization Survey is a random telephone survey conducted every year. Healthy People provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. For three decades, Healthy People has established benchmarks and monitored progress.

State-mandated vaccination requirements for school entry protect children and communities against vaccine-preventable diseases. The annual Delaware school vaccination survey conducted in 2016 to assess kindergarten immunization coverage shows that Delaware had a 97 percent immunization coverage rate for two doses of MMR, five doses of TDaP, and two doses of Varicella vaccine. The same survey shows a combined medical/religious vaccine exemption rate of only 1.2 percent.

For more information on immunizations, go to www.dhss.delaware.gov and search immunization program or call 800-282-8672.