Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccination among Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years, United States, 2007

Background:
Background: An estimated 1,400-2,800 cases of invasive meningococcal diseases occur annually in the United States. In 2005, a new tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) was approved and recommended for routine vaccination of adolescents at age 11-12 years and at high-school entry. When supply of the vaccine improved in August 2007, vaccination was recommended for all adolescents 11-18 years. In 2006, MCV4 coverage was 11.7% among U.S. adolescents aged 13-17 years. We examined MCV4 coverage among U.S. adolescents aged 13-17 years in Fall of 2007.

Objectives:
To evaluate vaccination uptake for the newly recommended MCV4 vaccination.

Methods:
Methods: We analyzed data from the 2007 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen), a nationally representative random-digit-dialed telephone survey. Estimates of MCV4 coverage were assessed from provider-reported vaccination histories. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with MCV4 vaccination.

Results:
Results: Provider-reported vaccination histories were available for 2,947 adolescents aged 13-17 years, with a respondent rate of 55.9%. Overall, MCV4 coverage was 32.4% (95% confidence interval (CI)=30.2%-34.7%) in 2007. Vaccination coverage was similar among adolescents aged 13-14 years compared to those aged 15-17 years (32.1% vs. 32.6%, respectively). Coverage was similar among non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics. Characteristics independently associated with a higher likelihood of MCV4 vaccination included higher mother's educational level, having public medical insurance, having ≥1 physician contacts in the past year, living in an urban area, and living in the northeast. Lower likelihood of MCV4 vaccination was among adolescents receiving vaccinations in public facilities.

Conclusions:
Conclusions: In 2007, MCV4 coverage increased 20.7 percentage points from 2006. Coverage was similar in all age groups suggesting a successful change in policy to vaccinate all adolescents. Focusing vaccination efforts on groups with lower coverage may reduce future disparities in coverage.