Children's Vaccines Health Center

One in Five Children May Get Extra Vaccinations, Study Finds

Vital information:

• Researchers report that one in five children aged 1 1/2 to 3 years may get at least one extra vaccination. They say that better record keeping is needed.
• After sampling data from a 1997 survey, the researchers determined that about half the children were properly immunized, about a fifth got an extra vaccine, and a third were lacking a vaccine.
• The study's authors recommend that parents become familiar with the recommended immunization schedule, bring their children in for shots on time, and keep their own set of vaccination records. An observer notes that failing to vaccinate children on time is the real health hazard. Also, he says, a nationally standardized immunization form is needed to reduce confusion and error.