NEWS RELEASE
February 28, 1997

Governor Releases Immunization Numbers
Federal Report Confirms Michigan's Progress

Governor John Engler today announced that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed Michigan's upward trend in vaccination rates among children under the age of two.

The 1995 CDC survey shows Michigan's rate at 70 percent in 1995, up nearly 10 percent from an earlier estimate of 61 percent. Michigan's 1996 survey shows a rate of 74 percent.

"This is more good news for Michigan's youngest children," said Engler. "Our response to the immunization challenge has been aggressive, and this trend proves it is working. We are making rapid progress toward our goal of 100 percent."

Also significant is the fact that Michigan's ranking in the national statistics has moved upward. Idaho, Nevada and Utah trail Michigan, with percentage rates in the 60s. Michigan joins 30 states whose rates are in the 70s. Maine leads the nation with a rate of 89 percent.

"Our upward trend reflects a solid commitment to protecting Michigan children who are most at-risk of serious childhood diseases," said James K. Haveman, Jr., Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). "We still have a long way to go to reach our goal, but it is clear that we are on the right track."

Five local health departments and one HMO in Michigan have reached or exceeded the 90 percent mark. "These programs are excellent role models for all health care providers in the state, in both the public and the private sectors," Haveman said.

By the time they enter school, more than 95% of all Michigan children are in compliance with immunization requirements. Early childhood immunizations became a special focus after a national measles epidemic in the late 80s and early 90s. Full immunization before the age of two is important because many diseases are more serious before age two and often pose a higher risk of mortality.

Michigan will spend approximately $36.8 million on immunizations this year through initiatives with public and private organizations, local programs, and on vaccine acquisition and distribution.

Michigan's immunization initiatives include:

The Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry, a locally-accessed network of regional systems that will cover the entire state. Each arm of the network will maintain a database of information that will give public and private providers a child's vaccination history.

Federal and state grants totaling $1.3 million to develop a high-tech computer network that will link public and private providers in southeast Michigan for greater on-line access to childhood immunization information.

Academic Medical Center Community Health Network grant of $7.2 million over five years. The CDC grant enables Detroit-area health care institutions to help providers establish and improve immunization data systems to connect with the registry.

For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Walker