MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. National, State, and Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19–35 Months — United States, 2011

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

Immunization of U.S. children aged 19-35 months remains high, with coverage for many routine vaccines remaining at or over 90%, according to the 2011 National Immunization Survey (NIS). Vaccination coverage for many vaccine preventable diseases increased from the previous year, including coverage against rotavirus, hepatitis A, and Haemophilus influenza type B.  Vaccination coverage against measles, mumps, and rubella, poliovirus, varicella and the full series of hepatitis B remained stable above 90 percent. Coverage differences by race/ethnicity are not seen for most vaccines.  However, white and black children living below the poverty level have lower rates than those living above the poverty level and lower rates than Hispanic children.  The survey found less than 1% of toddlers had received no vaccines at all.  Although nationally vaccination coverage is at or near targeted levels for most vaccines, vaccination coverage varies by state.  CDC urges parents, community leaders, and public health officials not to become complacent about the importance of vaccination because even with high national immunization coverage levels every community and state also needs high immunization coverage among children to keep them protected and to prevent outbreaks of serious and highly contagious vaccine preventable diseases, like measles. This reports shows that 15 states have immunization coverage rates lower than the HealthyPeople 2020 goal of 90% for measles vaccination.  Low vaccination coverage is a concern especially for extremely transmissible diseases like measles.  CDC urges parents to give their children the best protection from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles by ensuring that children are vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule. 

2. Prevalence of Cholesterol Screening and High Blood Cholesterol Among Adults — United States, 2005–2009

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

One of the Healthy people 2010 objectives was for at least 80 percent of population screened for high blood cholesterol during the preceding 5 years. This report provides the most recent trends on cholesterol screening and awareness of high cholesterol among U.S. adults ages 18 years and older. Consistent with trends from prior reports, overall cholesterol screening and awareness of high cholesterol among those screened increased from 2005 to 2009. However, disparities exist in screening for high blood cholesterol with the lowest prevalence among those aged 18-44 years, Hispanics, and those with lower levels of education. In 2009, only 9 states achieved the Healthy People 2010 target of 80 percent of the population having been screened for high blood cholesterol during the preceding 5 years. Results from this report can be used by state public health partners to increase cholesterol screening among American adults.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES