National population-based estimates for major birth defects, 2016-2020

BACKGROUND

We provide updated crude and adjusted prevalence estimates of major birth defects in the United States for the period 2016-2020.

METHODS

Data were collected from 13 US population-based surveillance programs that used active or a combination of active and passive case ascertainment methods to collect all birth outcomes. These data were used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates and national prevalence estimates adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity for all conditions, and maternal age for trisomies and gastroschisis. Prevalence was compared to previously published national estimates from 1999 to 2014.

RESULTS

Adjusted national prevalence estimates per 10,000 live births ranged from 0.63 for common truncus to 18.65 for clubfoot. Temporal changes were observed for several birth defects, including increases in the prevalence of atrioventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, omphalocele, trisomy 18, and trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and decreases in the prevalence of anencephaly, common truncus, transposition of the great arteries, and cleft lip with and without cleft palate.

CONCLUSION

This study provides updated national estimates of selected major birth defects in the United States. These data can be used for continued temporal monitoring of birth defects prevalence. Increases and decreases in prevalence since 1999 observed in this study warrant further investigation.

Narrowing the Survival Gap: Trends in Survival of Individuals with Down Syndrome with and without Congenital Heart Defects Born 1979 to 2018

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the hypothesis that childhood survival for individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and congenital heart defects (CHDs) has improved in recent years, approaching the survival of those with DS without CHDs.

STUDY DESIGN

Individuals with DS born from 1979 to 2018 were identified through the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, a population-based birth defects surveillance system administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate predictors of mortality for those with DS.

RESULTS

The cohort included 1671 individuals with DS; 764 had associated CHDs. The 5-year survival in those with DS with CHD improved steadily among individuals born in the 1980s through the 2010s (from 85% to 93%; P = .01), but remained stable (96% to 95%; P = .97) in those with DS without CHDs. The presence of a CHD was not associated with mortality through 5 years of age for those born 2010 or later (hazard ratio, 2.63; 95% CI, 0.95-8.37). In multivariable analyses, atrioventricular septal defects were associated with early (<1 year) and late (>5 year) mortality, whereas ventricular septal defects were associated with intermediate (1-5 years) mortality and atrial septal defects with late mortality, when adjusting for other risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The gap in 5-year survival between children with DS with and without CHDs has improved over the last 4 decades. Survival after 5 years remains lower for those with CHDs, although longer follow-up is needed to determine if this difference lessens for those born in the more recent years.

U.S. clinicians' and pharmacists' reported barriers to implementation of the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice

BACKGROUND

The Standards for Adult Immunization Practice (Standards), revised in 2014, emphasize that adult-care providers assess vaccination status of adult patients at every visit, recommend vaccination, administer needed vaccines or refer to a vaccinating provider, and document vaccinations administered in state/local immunization information systems (IIS). Providers report numerous systems- and provider-level barriers to vaccinating adults, such as billing, payment issues, lower prioritization of vaccines due to competing demands, and lack of information about the use and utility of IIS. Barriers to vaccination result in missed opportunities to vaccinate adults and contribute to low vaccination coverage. Clinicians' (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners) and pharmacists' reported barriers to assessment, recommendation, administration, referral, and documentation, provider vaccination practices, and perceptions regarding their adult patients' attitudes toward vaccines were evaluated.

METHODS

Data from non-probability-based Internet panel surveys of U.S. clinicians (n = 1714) and pharmacists (n = 261) conducted in February-March 2017 were analyzed using SUDAAN. Weighted proportion of reported barriers to assessment, recommendation, administration, referral, and documentation in IIS were calculated.

RESULTS

High percentages (70.0%-97.4%) of clinicians and pharmacists reported they routinely assessed, recommended, administered, and/or referred adults for vaccination. Among those who administered vaccines, 31.6% clinicians' and 38.4% pharmacists' submitted records to IIS. Reported barriers included: (a) assessment barriers: vaccination of adults is not within their scope of practice, inadequate reimbursement for vaccinations; (b) administration barriers: lack of staff to manage/administer vaccines, absence of necessary vaccine storage and handling equipment and provisions; and (c) documentation barriers: unaware if state/city has IIS that includes adults or not sure how their electronic system would link to IIS.

CONCLUSION

Although many clinicians and pharmacists reported implementing most of the individual components of the Standards, with the exception of IIS use, there are discrepancies in providers' reported actual practices and their beliefs/perceptions, and barriers to vaccinating adults remain.

Receipt and effectiveness of influenza vaccination reminders for adults, 2011-2012 season, United States

BACKGROUND

Reminders for influenza vaccination improve influenza vaccination coverage. The purpose of this study was to describe the receipt of reminders for influenza vaccination during the 2011-12 influenza season among US adults.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the March 2012 National Flu Survey (NFS), a random digit dial telephone survey of adults in the United States. Relative to July 1, 2011, respondents were asked whether they received a reminder for influenza vaccination and the source and type of reminder they received. The association between reminder receipt and demographic variables, and the association between influenza vaccination coverage and receipt of reminders were also examined.

RESULTS

Of adults interviewed, 17.2% reported receiving a reminder since July 1, 2011. More than half (65.2%) of the reminders were sent by doctor offices. Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to report receiving a reminder. Adults who reported having a usual healthcare provider, health insurance, or a high-risk condition were more likely to report receiving reminders than the respective reference group. Adults reporting receipt of reminders were 1.15 times more likely (adjusted prevalence ratio, 95% CI: 1.06-1.25) to report being vaccinated for influenza than adults reporting not receiving reminders.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences exist in receipt of influenza vaccination reminders among adults. Reminders are important tools to improve adult influenza vaccination coverage. Greater use of reminders may lead to higher rates of adult influenza vaccination coverage and reductions in influenza-related morbidity.

Use of Immunization Information Systems in Primary Care

INTRODUCTION

Immunization information systems (IISs) are highly effective for increasing vaccination rates but information about how primary care physicians use them is limited.

METHODS

Pediatricians, family physicians (FPs), and general internists (GIMs) were surveyed by e-mail and mail from January 2015 to April 2015 from all states with an existing IIS. Providers were recruited to be representative of national provider organization memberships. Multivariable log binomial regression examined factors associated with IIS use (October 2015-April 2016).

RESULTS

Response rates among pediatricians, FPs, and GIMs, respectively, were 75% (325/435), 68% (310/459), and 63% (272/431). A proportion of pediatricians (5%), FPs (14%), and GIMs (48%) did not know there was a state/local IIS; 81%, 72%, and 27% reported using an IIS (p<0.0001). Among those who used IISs, 64% of pediatricians, 61% of FPs, and 22% of GIMs thought the IIS could tell them a patient's immunization needs; 22%, 29%, and 51% did not know. The most frequently reported major barriers to use included the IIS not updating the electronic medical record (29%, 28%, 35%) and lack of ability to submit data electronically (22%, 27%, 31%). Factors associated with lower IIS use included FP (adjusted risk ratio=0.85; 95% CI=0.75, 0.97) or GIM (adjusted risk ratio=0.33; 95% CI=0.25, 0.42) versus pediatric specialty and older versus younger provider age (adjusted risk ratio=0.96; 95 CI%=0.94, 0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

There are substantial gaps in knowledge of IIS capabilities, especially among GIMs; barriers to interoperability between IISs and electronic medical records affect all specialties. Closing these gaps may increase use of proven IIS functions including decision support and reminder/recall.

Trends in compliance with two-dose influenza vaccine recommendations in children aged 6 months through 8 years, 2010-2015

BACKGROUND

Children aged 6 months through 8 years may require two doses of influenza vaccine for adequate immune response against the disease. However, poor two-dose compliance has been reported in the literature.

METHODS

We analyzed data for >2.6million children from six immunization information system (IIS) sentinel sites, and assessed full vaccination coverage and two-dose compliance in the 2010-2015 influenza vaccination seasons. Full vaccination was defined as having received at least the recommended number of influenza vaccine doses (one or two), based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Two-dose compliance was defined as the percentage of children during each season who received at least two doses of influenza vaccine among those who required two doses and initiated the series.

RESULTS

Across seasons, ⩾1-dose influenza vaccination coverage was mainly unchanged among 6-23montholds (range: 60.9-66.6%), 2-4yearolds (range: 44.8-47.4%), and 5-8yearolds (range: 34.5-38.9%). However, full vaccination coverage showed increasing trends from 2010-11 season to 2014-15 season (6-23months: 43.0-46.5%; 2-4yearolds: 26.3-39.7%; 5-8yearolds, 18.5-33.9%). Across seasons, two-dose compliance remained modest in children 6-23months (range: 63.3-67.6%) and very low in older children (range: 11.6-18.7% in children 2-4yearsand6.8-13.3% in children 5-8years). In the 2014-15 season, among children who required and received 2 doses, only half completed the two-dose series before influenza activity peaked.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved messaging of the two-dose influenza vaccine recommendations is needed for providers and parents. Providers are encouraged to determine a child's eligibility for two doses of influenza vaccine using the child's vaccination history, and to vaccinate children early in the season so that two-dose series are completed before influenza peaks.

Increasing uptake of live attenuated influenza vaccine among children in the United States, 2008-2014

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons in the United States aged ≥6 months. On June 25, 2014, ACIP preferentially recommended live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) for healthy children aged 2-8 years. Little is known about national LAIV uptake. To determine uptake of LAIV relative to inactivated influenza vaccine, we analyzed vaccination records from six immunization information system sentinel sites (approximately 10% of US population). LAIV usage increased over time in all sites. Among children 2-8 years of age vaccinated for influenza, exclusive LAIV usage in the collective sentinel site area increased from 20.1% (2008-09 season) to 38.0% (2013-14). During 2013-14, at least half of vaccinated children received LAIV in Minnesota (50.0%) and North Dakota (55.5%). Increasing LAIV usage suggests formulation acceptability, and this preexisting trend offers a favorable context for implementation of ACIP's preferential recommendation.

Two-dose varicella vaccination coverage among children aged 7 years--six sentinel sites, United States, 2006-2012

In 2007, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a routine second dose of varicella vaccine for children at age 4-6 years, in addition to the first dose given at age 12-15 months. One strategy recommended for increasing varicella vaccination coverage is a school entry requirement of proof of varicella immunity. To determine the extent of implementation of the routine 2-dose varicella vaccination program, the number of states with a 2-dose varicella vaccination elementary school entry requirement in 2012 was compared with the number in 2007, and 2-dose varicella vaccination coverage during 2006 was compared with coverage in 2012 among children aged 7 years, using data from six Immunization Information System (IIS) sentinel sites. The number of states (including the District of Columbia) with a 2-dose varicella vaccination elementary school entry requirement increased from four in 2007 to 36 in 2012. Two-dose varicella vaccination coverage levels among children aged 7 years in the six IIS sentinel sites increased from a range of 3.6%-8.9% in 2006 to a range of 79.9%-92.0% in 2012 and were approaching the levels of 2-dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) coverage, which had a range of 81.9%-94.0% in 2012. These increases suggest substantial progress in implementing the routine 2-dose varicella vaccination program in the first 6 years since its recommendation by ACIP. Wider adoption of 2-dose varicella vaccination school entry requirements might help progress toward the Healthy People 2020 target of 95% of kindergarten students having received 2 doses of varicella vaccine.

Surveillance of influenza vaccination coverage--United States, 2007-08 through 2011-12 influenza seasons

PROBLEM/CONDITION

Substantial improvement in annual influenza vaccination of recommended groups is needed to reduce the health effects of influenza and reach Healthy People 2020 targets. No single data source provides season-specific estimates of influenza vaccination coverage and related information on place of influenza vaccination and concerns related to influenza and influenza vaccination.

REPORTING PERIOD

2007-08 through 2011-12 influenza seasons.

DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEMS

CDC uses multiple data sources to obtain estimates of vaccination coverage and related data that can guide program and policy decisions to improve coverage. These data sources include the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the National Flu Survey (NFS), the National Immunization Survey (NIS), the Immunization Information Systems (IIS) eight sentinel sites, Internet panel surveys of health-care personnel and pregnant women, and the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS).

RESULTS

National influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months-17 years increased from 31.1% during 2007-08 to 56.7% during the 2011-12 influenza season as measured by NHIS. Vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months-17 years varied by state as measured by NIS. Changes from season to season differed as measured by NIS and NHIS. According to IIS sentinel site data, full vaccination (having either one or two seasonal influenza vaccinations, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for each influenza season, based on the child's influenza vaccination history) with up to two recommended doses for the 2011-12 season was 27.1% among children aged 6 months-8 years and was 44.3% for the youngest children (aged 6-23 months). Influenza vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years increased from 33.0% during 2007-08 to 38.3% during the 2011-12 influenza season as measured by NHIS. Vaccination coverage by age group for the 2011-12 season as measured by BRFSS was <5 percentage points different from NHIS estimates, whereas NFS estimates were 6-8 percentage points higher than BRFSS estimates. Vaccination coverage among persons aged ≥18 years varied by state as measured by BRFSS. For adults aged ≥18 years, a doctor's office was the most common place for receipt of influenza vaccination (38.4%, BRFSS; 32.5%, NFS) followed by a pharmacy (20.1%, BRFSS; 19.7%, NFS). Overall, 66.9% of health-care personnel (HCP) reported having been vaccinated during the 2011-12 season, as measured by an Internet panel survey of HCP, compared with 62.4%, as estimated through NHIS. Vaccination coverage among pregnant women was 47.0%, as measured by an Internet panel survey of women pregnant during the influenza season, and 43.0%, as measured by BRFSS during the 2011-12 influenza season. Overall, as measured by NFS, 86.8% of adults aged ≥18 years rated the influenza vaccine as very or somewhat effective, and 46.5% of adults aged ≥18 years believed their risk for getting sick with influenza if unvaccinated was high or somewhat high.

INTERPRETATION

During the 2011-12 season, influenza vaccination coverage varied by state, age group, and selected populations (e.g., HCP and pregnant women), with coverage estimates well below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 70% for children aged 6 months-17 years, 70% for adults aged ≥18 years, and 90% for HCP.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Continued efforts are needed to encourage health-care providers to offer influenza vaccination and to promote public health education efforts among various populations to improve vaccination coverage. Ongoing surveillance to obtain coverage estimates and information regarding other issues related to influenza vaccination (e.g., knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs) is needed to guide program and policy improvements to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with influenza by increasing vaccination rates. Ongoing comparisons of telephone and Internet panel surveys with in-person surveys such as NHIS are needed for appropriate interpretation of data and resulting public health actions. Examination of results from all data sources is necessary to fully assess the various components of influenza vaccination coverage among different populations in the United States.

Trends in compliance with two-dose influenza vaccine recommendations among children aged 6 months through 8 years

Children aged <9 years may require two doses of influenza vaccine to achieve an adequate immune response to protect against the disease. We analyzed data for >2 million children in each influenza season from 2007 to 2012 from eight Immunization Information System Sentinel Sites to assess trends in two-dose compliance. Compliance was calculated by influenza season, age group, and influenza vaccination history. Two-dose compliance increased from 49% to 60% among 6-23 month olds from 2007 to 2012; no increase was observed for 2-4 or 5-8 year olds. In each season, compliance was 3-12 times higher among 6-23 month olds compared to older children and was two times higher among influenza vaccine naïve children compared to previously vaccinated children. Improved messaging for providers and parents about the importance of the two-dose recommendation, about which children are eligible for two doses, and provider access to complete influenza vaccination histories for all children are needed.

Up-to-date Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination coverage during a vaccine shortage

OBJECTIVES

We sought to assess Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination coverage in diverse areas of the United States during the 2008-2009 Hib vaccine shortage. Interim recommendations for Hib vaccination during the shortage called for deferral of the booster dose only among children not at high risk for disease; the primary series given during the first year of life continued to be recommended for all children.

METHODS

Vaccination data on ∼123,000 children were collected from 8 Immunization Information System (IIS) sentinel sites. Completion of the primary Hib series (with 2 or 3 doses depending on vaccine type) by 9 months old during the vaccine shortage was compared with coverage of 2 vaccines given at similar ages (7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and diphtheria, tetanus acellular pertussis vaccine) in children born between November 1, 2007, and March 31, 2008.

RESULTS

During the shortage period, Hib vaccination coverage for the primary series was 7.8 to 10.3 percentage points lower than diphtheria, tetanus acellular pertussis vaccine and 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine coverage for children by the age of 9 months in 7 of 8 sentinel sites.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant decrease in Hib vaccination coverage for the primary series was observed and was consistent across several US localities. Close collaboration between the public health community and vaccine providers is essential during vaccine shortages to ensure that interim vaccination recommendations are clear, widely disseminated, and closely followed, and that access to available vaccine supplies is maintained.