July 27, 2005

Little Rock -- The 2004 National Immunization Survey reveals Arkansas’ childhood immunization rates have increased 15.3 percentage points from 67.1 percent in 2000 to 82.4 percent in 2004. The rates are based on children 19-35 months of age who received four doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis; three doses of Poliovirus; one dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella; three doses of Haemophilus Influenzae Type b; and three doses of Hepatitis B. This increase puts Arkansas above the U.S. National rate, which is 80.9 percent for the same time period.

Dr. Sandra Snow, Medical Director, Communicable Disease/Immunizations, says, “We are elated that our numbers are rising. This increase is due to the hard work of local health unit colleagues and private providers and their efforts to get children immunized.” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stresses the importance of childhood vaccinations. “We can now protect children from more than 12 vaccine preventable diseases and disease rates have been reduced by 99% in the U.S. Yet, without diligent efforts to maintain immunization programs here and strengthen them worldwide, the diseases seen 50 years ago remain a threat to our children.”

For an immunization schedule or to find out more about getting Arkansas children vaccinated, call the local county health unit or click on www.healthyarkansas.com.

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