Childhood Immunizations

Prevalence

Until 2004, New Mexico remained one of the lowest ranking states in terms of childhood immunization coverage. According to a recent survey which measured children born between February 2000 and May 2002, New Mexico ranks 44th among states in vaccinating our young children with the recommended vaccines. In early 200, only 61% of children were immunized, compared to 74% national average. Due to collaborative effort and commitment, in 2004, 84% of children aged 19-35 months were immunized, which made the state rank 15th nationally. That was huge improvement.

Importance

Childhood immunizations are one of the greatest medical success stories in human history. Due to the advanced technology, some diseases that can cause severe consequences are almost eliminated, including diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), measles, rubella (German measles), polio, varicella (chickenpox), pertussis (whooping cough) etc. Proper immunizations can save millions of lives. For example, in the under-immunized populations of the world, 600,000 children die from pertussis and almost 1 million die from measles each year. Additionally, many of the children survivors could suffer from chronic health problems or disabilities for the rest of their lives.

“…When you compare the risk of vaccines and the risk of diseases, vaccines are the safer choice.” – Paul Offic, MD, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Effort

New Mexico has been committed to raise childhood immunization rates. “Fourteen immunizations are recommended at varying intervals during a child’s first two years of life. The challenge for immunizations providers, families, and the healthcare system is to complete the entire early childhood vaccination series as quickly as possible between the ages of 1 and 2 years. The New Mexico ‘Done by One,’ a simplified shot schedule, and a new official shot record, the “New Mexico Health Passport,” promote early intervention.” Learn more: http://www.health.state.nm.us/pdf/strategicplanfy07.pdf

Health Sciences Center Immunizations

The New Mexico Immunization Coalition (NMIC) is a statewide public/private partnership committed to improving New Mexico's immunization rates.

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