Influences on immunization rates: Vaccination coverage of mumps measles rubella and varicella before and after the STIKO intervention 2011 - A retrospective study.

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Vaccine. 2016 Jul 25;34(34):3938-41. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.06.027. Epub 2016 Jun 16.

Influences on immunization rates: Vaccination coverage of mumps measles rubella and varicella before and after the STIKO intervention 2011 - A retrospective study.

Sanftenberg L¹ Schrörs HJ² Schelling J³.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In September 2011 the German Standing Committee on Vaccinations (STIKO) changed their recommendation regarding the mumps-measles-rubella-varicella vaccination (MMRV). We compared the immunization rates against MMRV in Germany before and after the STIKO intervention.

METHODS:

We recorded the immunization status of children born between 09/2008 and 08/2012 in 35 selected doctors surgeries in Germany.

RESULTS:

After the STIKO intervention the ratio of the combined MMRV vaccine as the first dose immunization was reduced to approximately 25% of the initial value. A slight increase in the number of children not sufficiently vaccinated against varicella (1.2%) was observed but the immunization rates against measles mumps rubella and varicella did not significantly decrease.

CONCLUSIONS:

The STIKO intervention led to a significant change in physicians vaccination procedures. The separate administration MMR+V vaccination may be a helpful option to improve the immunization rates in general.

KEYWORDS:

Electronic immunization planner; Immunization rates; Mumps–measles–rubella–varicella–vaccination