Nearly 70 percent of surveyed members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offer the varicella vaccine for chicken pox to “all or nearly all” of their patients between the ages of 12 and 18 months, according to a study by researchers at the AAP. Results also showed that inner-city and rural pediatricians are less likely to offer the vaccine to this group of patients (51 and 56 percent, respectively, said they offer it to “all or nearly all”) than non-inner-city and suburban pediatricians (75 percent). According to the AAP, the vaccine has been available for three years, and approximately 25-30 percent of U.S. children have been vaccinated.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: Heather Cunningham (847) 981-7131
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