VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES
The number of reported cases of vaccine-preventable
diseases has decreased steadily since the introduction
of the Childhood Immunization Initiative. While the
number of cases of H. Influenzae increased
from 1999 to 2000, cases of rubella, measles, Hepatitis
B, mumps, Hepatitis A, and pertussis all decreased
among children under 5 between 1999 and 2000. No cases
of diphtheria or tetanus were reported for 2000 compared
to 1 case in 1999. Almost one quarter of pertussis
cases occurred in infants less than 7 months old who
were too young to have received all three doses of
a pertussis-containing vaccine. Mumps and rubella
are at record low levels across all ages.
Although much progress has been made in reducing
the number of reported cases of vaccine- preventable
diseases, several of these diseases are still common.
The number of cases of pertussis, Hepatitis A and
H. Influenzae remains substantial and indicates
a need to continue to promote immunization efforts.
Additionally, since most Hepatitis B infections among
infants and young children are asymptomatic, the reported
number of cases likely underestimates the incidence
of Hepatitis B in young children.
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