[Annual trends (2008-2011) in early childhood vaccination coverage for the French population: the Vaccinoscopie(®) study].

UNLABELLED: Assessing vaccination coverage (VC) is a critical part of adherence to immunization guidelines and beyond vaccine effectiveness can fill possible gaps and optimize VC. The aim of this study was to measure annual VC trends (2008-2011) among children 0-6years of age.

METHODS

An Internet survey was conducted using a self-administrated questionnaire to a representative sample (quota method) of mothers reporting their child's immunization record.

RESULTS

Diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis-pertussis VC (complete schedule) was 96.0% at 6 years of age in 2010. Hepatitis B VC (≥1 dose) in the 6- to 11-month-old population increased from 54.6% in 2008 to 80.5% in 2011, but only 34.7% of 6-year-old had received a complete schedule in 2010. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine VC (complete schedule) increased to 92.7% in the 24- to 35-month-old population. Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) VC (2 injections) increased in 24- to 35-month-olds from 60.3% in 2008 to 81.0% in 2011. In 2011, 64.2% of 24- to 35-month-olds had received a second dose of MMR vaccine before 25 months vs. 45.4% in 2008. BCG VC in 12- to 35-month-olds was 73.2% in Île-de-France, where vaccination is recommended in all children vs. 15.5% elsewhere (vaccination only recommended in high-risk children).

CONCLUSION

This study shows a significant improvement of VC in young French children. However, outreach efforts should continue to be made, especially to adolescent and adult populations, in whom VC is very low.