A record number of Arizona children have completed the recommended series of “baby shots,” according to National Immunization Survey results released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today.

Nearly 79 percent of Arizona children 19 to 35 months of age have completed all vaccines in the recommended “4:3:1:3:3 Series.” The number of children who have completed this series has increased steadily over the past two years, rising from 67.9 percent in July 2003 to 76.9 percent in July 2004 and to 78.6 percent this year. 

The series includes four doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, three or more doses of polio vaccine, one or more doses of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, three or more doses of Hib vaccine, and three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. 

“This is wonderful news,” said Susan Gerard, Department of Health Services Director. “What’s especially encouraging is that we had dramatic increases in immunization rates outside of Maricopa County.”

In Arizona’s rural counties, the number of children fully immunized jumped to 80.1 percent in July 2005 from 61.2 percent in July 2003. Maricopa County rose to 77.8 percent in July 2005 from 71.8 percent in July 2003.

“Health care providers are using the tools the Department of Health Services has made available, like the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS), and are making greater efforts to remind parents of immunization appointments,” said Kathy Fredrickson, Chief of the Arizona Immunization Program Office, regarding the increased coverage levels.

With pertussis (whooping cough) cases on the rise in Arizona, it is very important for parents of infants to stay on track and bring their babies back for immunizations on time, every time. To learn more about where and when to get immunizations, visit the Arizona Immunization Program Office website, www.azdhs.gov/phs/immun, or phone 602-364-3630.