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Immunization Rates Show Big Gains for Children and Teens in Nevada

Media Contact: 

Mary Skau
775-624-7116 (office) | 775-560-2556 (cell)
mary@immunizenevada.org
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Immunization Rates Show Big Gains for Children and Teens in Nevada

RENO, NEV. (November 17, 2016) – Immunize Nevada and the Nevada State Division of Public and Behavioral Health Immunization Program are pleased to announce that the recently released 2015 National Immunization Survey (NIS) shows that toddler immunization rates increased by 5.5 percent - the most significant increase in Nevada history.

“It’s encouraging to see our state and local efforts continue to have a positive impact on childhood and adolescent immunization rates,” said Karissa Loper, Deputy Bureau Chief for Child, Family & Community Wellness and the Acting Immunization Program Manager. “Of course, there is always room for improvement, but these results suggest we are heading in the right direction and our efforts are making a noticeable impact on coverage rates.”

Nevada’s immunization coverage ranking for children aged 19-35 months is now 31st in the nation, an improvement from 38th in 2014. This ranking reflects a 5.5 percent increase in the vaccine coverage rate for the early childhood age group to 71 percent. 

In the 2015 NIS-Teen Survey, Nevada ranks  21st in the nation for 13-17 year olds having at least one dose of Tdap vaccine, with 88 percent coverage, greater than the national average. Nevada also ranks fifth in the nation for females receiving 1-dose of the HPV vaccine. The state saw increases in adolescent coverage rates for:
     • MCV (meningococcal vaccine) at 78 percent
     • HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination in both males and females. Females with a double digit increase over 2014 rates, making Nevada one of only seven states showing an increase in HPV vaccination coverage.
     o Females:
      - HPV 1-dose 72 percent
      - Series completion of 42 percent
     o Males:
      - HPV 1-dose 44 percent
      - Series completion of 24 percent

“Nevada has worked tirelessly to improve our immunization rates, and it’s because of our dedicated partners and healthcare providers that our coverage rates are at a record-high,” said Immunize Nevada Executive Director Heidi Parker. “Additionally, Nevada has succeeded in increased health coverage rates for children by adopting provisions under the Affordable Care Act, which has expanded access to preventive health benefits such as vaccines.”

“We’ll continue to work closely with Immunize Nevada and the county health districts to educate healthcare providers, parents, policy-makers and all community members about the importance of vaccinations for all ages,” Loper added.

Additional NIS information is available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/nis/about.html. For more information about immunizations in Nevada visit www.immunizenevada.org or follow them on social media.

 

Immunize Nevada is widely recognized as Nevada’s trusted resource for immunizations and community health for all ages by fostering education and statewide collaboration. Healthy communities across Nevada protected from vaccine-preventable disease. For more information, visit ImmunizeNevada.org.
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