Measuring Immunization Coverage among Preschool Children: Past, Present, and Future Opportunities

Control of vaccine-preventable diseases depends on maintaininghigh levels of immunization coverage. Immunization coverageamong preschool children remains suboptimal in some areas andsociodemographic subgroups, as well as for more recently introducedvaccines, leaving susceptible young children vulnerable to complicationsfrom vaccine-preventable diseases. This paper reviews approacheshistorically used to measure immunization coverage among preschoolchildren in the United States. The strengths and weaknessesof various approaches to measuring immunization coverage amongpreschool children are explored, with emphasis on the currentmeans to measure national immunization coverage—the NationalImmunization Survey. Methods for measuring immunization coverageamong preschool children at local and state levels are alsoevaluated. Future opportunities and challenges for measuringimmunization coverage at the local, state, and national levelsare explored. child health services • child, preschool • communicable disease control • comparative study • immunization programs • immunization schedule • vaccination