Extraimmunization Among US Children

Abstract

Achieving and sustaining high immunization rates among US children is an important public health goal that has been vigorously pursued in the last decade. Extensive research on the factors that contribute to underimmunization^1-3 has led to a variety of interventions, including provider education to assess practice coverage levels and to reduce missed opportunities,^4,5 mass media campaigns to educate parents about the importance of immunization,⁶ and efforts to reduce financial and other barriers to immunization.⁴ National immunization coverage levels are now higher than ever before.⁷