Chapter 5. Saving Lives: Immunization in the United States

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

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Saving Lives: Immunization in the United States

This activity examines the different types of vaccines recommended for children, as well as the rates at which U.S. children are immunized.

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A young nurse administering an injection to a young boy.

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5.1 Saving Lives: Immunization in the United States

Vaccine Recommendations

Immunizations have saved over a billion lives. Most are recommended for children worldwide, although some are considered controversial for various reasons. Some nations’ recommendations differ from the U.S. recommendations shown in the diagram below.

Click on the vaccine names to view each disease's characteristics.

A spreadsheet that shows data on how many children in the United States between ages 19–35 months have received a combined vaccine series. The first column indicates states in the United States and the second column indicates immunization data for that state.

5.2 Saving Lives: Immunization in the United States

Immunization in the United States

Virtually all public health doctors and pediatricians agree that babies need to be up-to-date on immunization, partly because every doctor has tended a baby who was sickened by a preventable disease. Infants sometimes die of these diseases—as occurred in California during a 2018 outbreak of pertussis (also known as whooping cough). Yet, the overall U.S. rate of full immunization among 19- to 35-month-olds is only about 70 percent, which means that almost one baby in every three is unprotected. The U.S. rate is lower than in several European nations, and the range—from 66 percent in Minnesota to 82 percent in Massachusetts—suggests that local context influences the behavior of doctors and parents.

CLICK ON EACH STATE TO SEE HOW MANY CHILDREN AGES 19–35 MONTHS HAVE RECEIVED A COMBINED 4-VACCINE SERIES.*

*4 or more doses of DTaP, 3 or more doses of Polio, 1 or more doses of MMR, and Hib full series (3 or 4 doses, depending on product type received)

Data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 3, 2017

5.3 Saving Lives: Immunization in the United States

Saving Lives: Immunization in the United States

Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock

Question 5.1 Immunization Rates

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Your answer should address variations in level of education, income, political climate, cultural values, immigration status, and any other factors that might be relevant.

Question 5.2 Infant immunization

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Your answer should address the different priorities and experiences of doctors and parents.

5.4 Activity Completed!

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REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, November 3). Combined 4-vaccine Series Vaccination coverage among children 19-35 months by State, HHS Region, and the United States, National Immunization Survey-Child (NIS-Child), 2016. ChildVaxView. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/childvaxview/data-reports/4-series/reports/2016.html

Hill, H.A., Elam-Evans, L.D., Yankey, D., Singleton, J.A., & Kang, Y. Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19–35 Months — United States, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67:1123–1128.