Oklahoma Children Well Protected Against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma State Department of Health says Oklahoma children are among the nation's best protected children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to the National Immunization Survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oklahoma's child immunization ranking improved in nearly every category including a second-best in the nation for Hepatitis A. For most other vaccines, Oklahoma was generally in the top 25 states nationally.

All states showed decreases in coverage rates for 2009 due to national shortages of Hib vaccines that has now been resolved. The Hib vaccine plays an important role in preventing children from developing a serious type of bacterial meningitis.

"While it is good news for Oklahomans that our standing has greatly improved, we know that many children were not fully protected due to the Hib vaccine shortage," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline. "We have an even better opportunity to more fully protect our children and communities against disease this year by building on last year's track record."

Don Blose, Chief of OSDH Immunization Service, said increased use of the OSDH immunization registry, good management of short Hib vaccine supplies and implementation of "OK BY ONE," a simplified immunization schedule, were keys to Oklahoma's improved standings this year.

"Vaccines are safe, effective and remain the best form of defense against many deadly diseases. Parents who refuse vaccines for their child are taking a risk, one with devastating consequences, not only for their child but also for others in the community. I strongly encourage parents who have questions or concerns about vaccines to consult with their health care provider," said Cline.

Blose said future improvements in Oklahoma's childhood immunization ranking will also depend on increased uptake of newer vaccines.

State health officials also note it sometimes only takes a small proportion of unvaccinated individuals in a community to open the door for vaccine-preventable diseases to return. Two years ago there was a national resurgence in measles. This year, cases of whooping cough (pertussis), a potentially deadly disease for infants, is on the rise in some states. Oklahoma has experienced no measles cases but is seeing an increase in pertussis reports in the southeast region of the state.

National immunization rankings are based on the primary series of vaccines due by 18 months of age.