BACKGROUND:
In February 2000, a 7-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was licensed for routine vaccination of young children. The vaccine has been shown effective at reducing invasive pneumococcal infections and reducing the incidence of otitis media.

OBJECTIVE:
To examine PCV7 uptake among 19-35 month old children in the United States and determine how uptake rates differed by state vaccine supply policy.

METHOD:
Data from the 2001-2003 National Immunization Survey (NIS) were analyzed. Logistic regression was performed to identify the association between state vaccine supply policy and receipt of three or more doses of vaccine after controlling for characteristics of the child and provider.

RESULT:
The overall proportion of children receiving 1 or more dose of PCV7 increased from 36.6% (±1.0%) in 2001 to 88.1% (±0.7%) in 2003; the proportion of children receiving 3 or more doses increased from 6.7% (±0.5%) in 2001 to 68.8% (±1.0%) in 2003. After controlling for child and provider demographic characteristics, the state vaccine supply policy was associated with receiving 3 or more doses of PCV7. Children in states that excluded PCV7 from their supply policy were less likely to receive 3 or more doses than children living in states with a similar policy that does not exclude PCV7.

CONCLUSION:
Rates of PCV7 uptake 3 years after licensure are increasing rapidly and are promising indicators of achieving high coverage. It is essential that we monitor the effect a state's vaccine supply policy has on the delivery of PCV7 and future vaccines.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe uptake rates of PCV7 3 years after licensure.
Describe how state vaccine supply policy effects vaccine uptake for PCV7.