[Estimation of vaccination rates in children of 10 months, 2 years and 4 years of age who underwent a health checkup at the Well Child Clinic in Paris during the year 1997].

UNLABELLED: In France, the vaccination program has changed through the last years. We report a study on immunization rates of children who underwent a complete health checkup at a Well Child Clinic in Paris. We studied three groups of children (children at the ages of 10 months, 2 years and 4 years) regarding types of daycare and medical care.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Nine hundred children who underwent a health checkup between April and June 1997 were included in the study. Data were collected from immunization records and parents' interviews.

RESULTS

In 10-month-old children, prevalence rates of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and pertussis (DTPP) and immunization against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease were 98% and 96%, respectively. Only 1.7% were immunized against measles. Forty-two percent of children had complete or ongoing immunization against hepatitis B. The vaccination coverage for BCG was 94%. In two-year-old children, boostering for DTPP vaccine had been performed by 90%, more than 90% were immunized against measles and 50% had received at least one shot to prevent hepatitis B. At the age of 4 years, 99% were immunized against DTPP, 78% were immunized against Hib disease, 98% against measles and 48% for hepatitis B. All children were immunized with BCG, and 98% were BCG-controlled (22% had tuberculin intradermal reaction). The highest immunization rates were observed in children who had preventive care in 'Maternal and Infantile Protection Centres.' Immunization rates were not influenced by the type of daycare, except for measles in two-year-old children managed by private pediatricians.

CONCLUSION

We observed high immunization rates of children who underwent health checkups. Late immunization against measles and low immunization rates against hepatitis B reflect the difficulties encountered in mobilising physicians and families for these vaccinations.