Who Is Immunizing Children In The United States?

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Immunization Program shows that previous estimates of 30 to 50 percent of children immunized in the public sector are too high. NIP found that 20 percent of children are immunized by public health department providers; 58 percent were immunized by private providers; 3 percent in hospital settings; 3 percent by military or other providers; 7 percent by more than one type of provider; 9 percent by an unknown type of provider. The proportion of children immunized in the private sector was highest in New England and the Western states, and lowest in the South.The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in New Orleans, May 1-5. For interviews during the meeting, contact the press room at (504) 670-8502 or 670-8508.Researchers’ Institutional Contact: Diana Woods (404) 639-8200