Indicator: Preschool Immunization

 

Definition: Percent of children 19-35 months of age with complete vaccination records on file in the Child Profile Immunization Registry (4-DTP, 3-Polio, 1-MMR, 3-Hib, 3-HepB, 1-Varicella, 4-PCV).

Why is this important: Childhood immunizations have provided one of the greatest improvements in public health by controlling serious conditions such as measles, polio, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Immunizing individual children also helps protect the health of those who cannot receive immunizations, such as infants or children with certain health conditions. Childhood immunizations lower the risk of a disease circulating though the community, thus unvaccinated children are less likely to be exposed to the disease germs.

 

Where are we: In 2010 in Spokane County, 60.2% of preschool age children were fully immunized. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of fully immunized children from 2006 to 2010. The preschool immunization rate in Spokane County was significantly lower than that of Washington State and the U.S. in 2009.

 

Health Disparities:

Among Spokane County preschool children in 2010:

 

There was no difference in being fully immunized between males and females.