Infants and young children are at a high risk of developing influenza-related complications, so boosting vaccination rates is a public health priority, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics.
Researchers analyzed National Immunization Survey data to estimate full influenza vaccination status among children ages 6 to 23 months, as the basis for the report.
Here are five findings from the study:
1. The share of U.S. children between 6 months and 23 months who are fully vaccinated against influenza increased 4.8 percent between the 2002 to 2003 season and the 2011 to 2012 season.
2. Still, less than half (44.7 percent) of these infants and young children were fully vaccinated during the 2011 to 2012 influenza season.
3. Across all 10 influenza seasons studied, black and Hispanic children had lower vaccination coverage than non-Hispanic white children.
4. For all 10 influenza seasons, full influenza vaccination coverage was higher among those who received an inoculation requiring only one dose compared with those requiring two doses.
5. Implementing more evidence-based strategies that increase the percentage of children who are fully vaccinated is necessary.