B. Immunization Status

Another indicator of preventive health status in a community is the immunization levels of children at age two. A 1993 retrospective immunization survey conducted by the Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services found that in 1991, 48.5% of all California children were fully immunized at age 2. Humboldt County participated in this study and found that 49% of its two year olds were fully immunized. Del Norte County did not participate in this study.

Information on the immunization status of all Humboldt County and Del Norte County kindergartners entering school is collected. Fully immunized means having received 3 or more doses of Polio vaccine, 4 or more doses of DPT, and 1 or more doses of MMR. The value of this indicator is not as powerful, however, because all children are legally required to be fully immunized before starting school. Nonetheless, the percentage of children fully immunized when entering kindergarten has been steadily increasing over the past four years as shown in Table S-4.12.1 below.

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