For Release: August 4, 1997, 5 p.m. (ET)
Below is a highlight of a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Members of the media may obtain the full text of this study by e-mailing the AAP Division of Public Relations at [email protected] or calling the Division at 847-981-7877 and asking for C5-97.
IMMUNIZATION DURING HOSPITAL STAY MAY IMPROVE VACCINATION RATE
CHICAGO--Hospitalization is a prime opportunity to immunize children, according to a recent study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Researchers at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health studied immunization records of 2,006 hospitalized children ages birth to 2. They discovered that 49 percent of the patients were fully immunized to date. To vaccinate the remaining 51 percent of children, the researchers developed a program to immunize these children before they were released from the hospital. As a result of the program, the immunization rate increased from 44 percent on admission to 70 percent on discharge. Reasons for not immunizing these hospitalized children included: discharge before immunization records were obtained, a scheduled follow-up appointment or parent refusal. Only 4 percent of the children were too ill to be immunized. Researchers suggest that development of an immunization program is not only an opportunity to immunize but also is an opportunity to educate families on the importance of immunization. EDITORS NOTE: During the month of August, the AAP is participating in "Immunize for Healthy Lives," an immunization education program, with McDonalds restaurants and local health officials to offer educational materials featuring the vaccination schedule recommended by the AAP.
[For an interview on this study, contact Louis Bell, M.D., at 215/590-1964.]
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EDITORS NOTE: This study was published in the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, but does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the Academy. The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 53,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
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