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Article
July 1986

Toddler Immunization Gap

Author Affiliations

Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Permanente Medical Group, Inc 2025 Morse Ave Sacramento, CA 95825
Immunization Unit California State Department of Health Services Berkeley, CA 94704

Am J Dis Child. 1986;140(7):615-617. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1986.02140210013003
Abstract

Sir.—In 1977 the National Childhood Immunization Initiative began, with the goal to raise immunization levels to greater than 90% of all vaccine-preventable diseases in the nation's children. Although the incidence of these infections has significantly declined in the United States, a substantial number of cases continue to be reported in the 1980s.1 When the age and immunity status of affected children are known, it is clearly evident that at least half of the cases were potentially preventable. In 1982 and 1983, 68% of reported pertussis cases in children 3 months to 6 years old did not have adequate immunization with diphtheria-tetanuspertussis (DTP) vaccine.2 In addition, 20.6% of all cases of measles in the first half of 1985 occurred in children 15 months to 4 years of age, and 69.2% of measles cases in preschool-age children were preventable.3 While specific laws require proof of adequate immunity for

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