State third in infant immunizations

Hawaii ranks third in the nation for its infant immunization rates after a 9 percent increase in vaccinations last year, the state Health Department reports.

The 2007 National Immunization Survey found about 88 percent of isle children from 19 to 35 months old are up to date on their immunizations.

Hawaii also has exceeded the Healthy People 2010 goal to achieve vaccination coverage above 90 percent for the recommended doses of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella, polio and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, the DOH said.

"Immunizations are our children's best defense against diseases like pertussis and measles," state Health Director Chiyome Fukino said in a news release. "It is important to continue these efforts for each keiki who remain unprotected against vaccine-preventable diseases."

Health authorities reported last month the highest number of measles cases nationally in a decade, with 131 cases up to August this year, compared with 42 last year.

They attributed this to parents not having children vaccinated because of misinformation that vaccinations are dangerous.

Hawaii has had five cases of measles so far this year, with all but one coming from outside the state.

Free or low-cost vaccines are available statewide for eligible children.

For more information, parents are encouraged to talk to their child's physician, visit www.vaxhawaii.com or call 586-8332. Neighbor island calls are toll-free to (800) 933-4832.

The National Immunization Survey is a telephone survey followed by a survey mailed to children's immunization providers.