Updated: February, 2024

Author: Immunization Program, Vermont Department of Health

This indicator, or population measure, is part of our Healthy Vermonters 2030 data set. Read more about how this data helps us understand and improve the well-being of people in Vermont on the Healthy Vermonters 2030 webpage.

Because this data is meant to show how the health of our state changes during the decade from 2020-2030, some indicators may have very few data points for now. Keep checking back to see the progress our public health system and partners are making.

By 2030 we want to see the percentage of children who have received all recommended vaccines by age 2 increase to 80%.

The percent has remained the same for several years, although there was a slight decrease in 2021 (75%) compared to 2020 and 2022 (76%). The COVID-19 pandemic may have been a factor.

Looking for more data?

• Look at previous similar data about children between 19-35 months receiving recommended vaccines from our 2020 Scorecards.
• See the corresponding national Healthy People 2030 objective for the proportion of children who receive recommended vaccines by age 2.

Vaccines can prevent common diseases which have historically caused serious harm or death to infants, children, and adults. Childhood vaccine schedules balance a child’s likely exposure to a disease and when the vaccine will be most effective.

Without vaccines, children are at risk of becoming seriously ill, or potentially dying from vaccine preventable diseases such as bacterial infections, whooping cough, and hepatitis B. Following the recommended vaccine schedule means children will be protected from 14 different preventable diseases by age 2. Learn more about recommended vaccines for children from the Department of Health Immunization Program.

The Immunization Program, healthcare and childcare providers, pediatric associations, and parents/caregivers may all have a role in increasing the number of children who receive recommended vaccines. They may benefit from using this data to understand gaps, areas for intervention and action. Learn more about how the Immunization Program collaborates with primary care and other providers to increase vaccination for patients of all ages.

It's important to understand that although 76% of children in Vermont are receiving recommended vaccinations, different populations have different outcomes. Differences can result from language barriers, barriers to accessing care, transportation issues, insurance status, or low vaccine confidence resulting from historical trauma. People living in rural areas may also have a lower level of concern about exposure to contagious diseases. 

Since nearly all children in Vermont receive their childhood vaccines at the primary care provider office, we can collaborate more intentionally with pediatric medical homes to increase equity in accessing and receiving immunizations.

We are working closely with partners to decrease vaccine barriers. This includes improving vaccine accessibility, increasing vaccine confidence, and improving public education and knowledge.

Providers play a critical role in improving childhood vaccination rates. They provide one on one education to patients, parents, and caregivers about vaccines and the diseases they prevent. This open communication is a critical strategy we rely on to increase vaccine confidence. Providers offer appointments specifically for vaccination which can directly improve vaccine access.

The Immunization Program partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to actively improve the percent of children vaccinated on time. The Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers program uses evidence-based strategies to work with practices across Vermont to increase immunization rates and coverage.

Engaging with community partners to improve vaccine education, identify additional vaccine barriers and increase vaccine confidence, is another crucial piece of this work. The Community Guide from the CDC provides ideas and recommendations across many areas population health promotion, including increasing vaccination rates.

The target value of 80% was chosen based on historical data as an ambitious but achievable goal to increase from the 2019 rate of 76%. The population for this indicator includes children under age 2. Data is collected from the Vermont Immunization Registry. Data in the Vermont Immunization Registry is updated daily.