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A recent CDC study of private physicians' practices related to children's immunization indicated that physicians estimate they are fully vaccinating a higher percentage of children in their practice than may actually occur.
The study revealed that estimates of immunization coverage are generally much higher than measured coverage in these practices. In addition, although physicians administered the recommended vaccinations to preschool children, they frequently did not remind or recall their patients to assure timely vaccination.
In the United States, the majority of immunizations are delivered by private practice physicians. However, the practice patterns of private immunization providers is not well understood, therefore CDC conducted a national survey of pediatricians and family physicians to assess their immunization practices.
The study also revealed that 63 percent of physicians perceived their practices' immunization coverage levels to be greater than 90 percent, and that 75 percent of physicians surveyed lacked a system to identify children who are not up-to-date on immunizations.
Results were presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies' Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Title: Immunization Practices of Private Pediatricians and Family Physicians in the US Authors: Jorge Rosenthal, M.D.; Ed Brink, M.D.; Walter Orenstein, M.D.; Joel Kuritsky, M.D.; B Pierce. Affiliation: National Immunization Program, CDC
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