Childhood immunization coverage levels in Germany, 1999. Vaccination intitiated in most children but full coverage often delayed or not achieved

Background. In Germany data from the school entrance health examination are the only available data source to estimate vaccination coverage rates in c hildren. These data relate to vaccination given four to five years previous ly and include no information on whether the vaccinations were given on sch edule according to the national recommendations. Valid data on completeness and timing of vaccination were therefore collected in a representative sam ple of children in 1999. Methods. The vaccination status of 837 children (from 775 of 1345 represent ative households with children up to 3 years of age) was ascertained in a r andom digit dialling telephone survey. The analysis was confined to 367 chi ldren aged 19-35 months (born 7/96 to 11/97). Coverage levels and exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the age thresholds used in the CD C National Immunization Survey. Results. Among 26-months-olds coverage for completed primary vaccination wa s 91% for DTP, 92% for polio, 77% for MMR and 75% for hepatitis B. For boos ter doses, however, coverage reached only 50-60%. The proportion of childre n vaccinated according to the timing recommended in the national schedule w as 9-16% for primary and 10-22% for booster vaccination. Conclusions. Coverage levels for primary vaccination series other than MMR met international standards. Completeness and timing of vaccination, howeve r, were unsatisfactory.