Immunizations
Focus On
Immunizations
Percent of Infants Fully Immunized at 24 Months
Vaccines are one of public health’s biggest achievements. Diseases like smallpox, tetanus, and polio that were once very common with sometimes devastating consequences have now been eradicated or nearly eliminated. Rates of other vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, mumps, and diphtheria are also held in check for the most part.
The key to keeping these once-prevalent diseases under control is to stay vigilant about achieving high immunization rates in our community. If a high percentage of our population is immunized, those who are too young or have another contraindication to receiving the vaccine are protected by herd immunity. Herd immunity can also help stop an outbreak in its tracks.
In the 2011-2012 year, 71.7% of Kanas infants were fully immunized at 24 months. In 2011, 67.6% of adults over the age of 65 were immunized against influenza in the previous 12 months, compared with 60.7% nationally. Visit the Immunize Kansas Kids page to see many other reports and presentations from the Immunize Kansas Kids Coalition.
Community organizations and clinics interested in exploring new ways to improve immunization rates in their community can use the promising practices search tool to build upon what others have learned.