Philadelphia meets or exceeds national and state immunization rates in nearly all reported childhood immunization statistics, according to new CDC report.
PHILADELPHIA- New data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that Philadelphia’s healthcare providers immunize children at very high rates, often meeting or even exceeding national goals. With immunization rates that frequently surpass statewide and nationwide rates, Philadelphia has done an outstanding job protecting its infants and children from dangerous diseases.
The 2016 National Immunization Survey (NIS) data show that Philadelphia is has met Healthy People 2020 targets for infants who receive 4 doses of the DTap (which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and for infants who receive all doses of a 7-vaccine series (which includes full series of DTap, Polio, MMR, Hib, HepB, Varicella, and PCV). In addition to the newly-met goals for DTap and the 7-vaccine series, Philadelphia continues to exceed Healthy People 2020 targets for infants who receive 3 or more doses of Polio, 1 or more dose of MMR (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella), varicella (chickenpox), and 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine.
“High vaccination rates are crucial,” added Dr. Caroline Johnson, Acting Deputy Health Commissioner. “They help protect our residents against diseases imported to Philadelphia from places with lower vaccination rates. And, they ensure that children don’t pass diseases on to others who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons, or are otherwise vulnerable.”
The data, from the 2016 National Immunization Survey (NIS), covers children aged 19 months to 35 months. The survey, done every year by the CDC, provides up-to-date state and local area estimates of vaccination for children and allows public health professionals to track rates of vaccinations over time.
Healthy People 2020 is a federal initiative from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion that sets science-based goals for health outcomes for the nation to reach every decade.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health works to increase vaccination rates by:
- Educating providers about vaccine recommendations
- Encouraging people to get their shots – and to vaccinate their children according to recommended schedules
- Distributing free vaccines for providers to administer to at-risk children and low-income adults
Vaccines are one of the best ways to keep ourselves safe from dangerous diseases.
To protect yourself and those around you, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health encourages you to get your shots – and to protect your children by getting them vaccinated. To find out how, visit our Immunization Program page – or visit your doctor.
More detailed information on infant and adolescent immunization rates in Philadelphia are available online.