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Secondary Indicators and 1 more... less...

All Connecticut Children Grow Up Healthy.

Appropriate Immunizations By Age Two

Current Value

80.60%

2015

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

Administered by the CDC, the National Immunization Survey collects state-by-state and overall national estimates the percentage of children 19-35 months old receiving age-appropriate immunizations, which is measured with the following vaccination pattern 4:3:1:3:3:1:4. The percentage of children receiving immunizations has varied widely since 2005 and is currently declining after a 2011 high of 85%. Percentages for the last three years have failed to hit the Healthy People 2020 goal.

From the 2010 National Vaccine Plan, proposed federal initiatives to improve appropriate vaccination/immunization rates include: improving upon current vaccines and the national supply, enhancing the vaccine safety system, and expanding communications to enhance informed decision-making regarding vaccines. Based upon the research of Healthy People 2020, appropriate immunization from birth can save up to 33,000 lives, prevent 14 million cases of disease, and reduce direct health care costs by nearly $10 billion. Additional benefits of vaccination include: reduced risk of spreading serious illnesses to our most vulnerable populations; and reduced chances of contracting a serious illness from international travelers/traveling, which could lead to the eradication of certain diseases worldwide.

The Connecticut Vaccine Program (CVP) is Connecticut’s expanded pediatric vaccination program. The program is state and federally funded and provides vaccines at no cost to children under the age of 19 years. The CVP was developed in response to the enactment of Public Act 12–1, which requires healthcare providers who administer pediatric vaccines to obtain the vaccines through the Department of Public Health in most cases. On February 26, 2014, the newly constituted Childhood Vaccine Advisory Council (CVAC) held its first meeting. The council’s objective is to improve health outcomes for children in Connecticut by reducing vaccine preventable diseases through the effective, efficient, and evidence based use of CVP supplied vaccines.

The Connecticut Commission on Children has actively discussed the importance of child vaccinations, promoting such programs like the Connecticut Immunization Registry and Tracking System (CIRTS). In 2012, a report produced by the Childhood Immunization Task Force recommended allowing providers to choose brands other than those recommended by the Vaccine Purchase Advisory Council (VPAC), increasing appropriations for the purchase, storage, and distribution of vaccines under VPAC, and continued monitoring of several issues surrounding vaccine programs, their impact, and implications of certain policies/programs. In 2015, the state of Connecticut passed legislation that exempts children who present a statement that the immunization would be contrary to the parents' or guardians' religious beliefs. It requires any such statement to be officially acknowledged by a notary public, Connecticut-licensed attorney, judge, family support magistrate, court clerk or deputy clerk, town clerk, or justice of the peace. Legislation passed in 2010 requires that childrenhave age-appropriate immunizations prior to being permitted to attend a day care center or group day care home.

Partners

  • Department of Public Health
  • Connecticut Academy of Pediatrics
  • Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance
  • Connecticut Nurses Association

Strategy

  • Assure costs of vaccines/administration for all ages are covered by all insurers.
  • Expand access to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended vaccines for children.
  • Enhance Connecticut immunization registry.
  • Implement comprehensive reminder/recall systems.

Strategies contributed by staff from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Comment

Dept. of Public Health, Connecticut Immunization Registry and Tracking System (CIRTS)

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136&q=388268

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