Annual trends (2008-2011) in early childhood vaccination coverage for the French population: The Vaccinoscopie® study

Assessing vaccination coverage (VC) is a critical part of adherence to immunization guidelines and beyond vaccine effectiveness can fill possible gaps and optimize VC. The aim of this study was to measure annual VC trends (2008-2011) among children 0-6 years of age. Methods. An Internet survey was conducted using a self-administrated questionnaire to a representative sample (quota method) of mothers reporting their child's immunization record. Results. Diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis-pertussis VC (complete schedule) was 96.0% at 6 years of age in 2010. Hepatitis B VC (>= 1 dose) in the 6- to 11-month-old population increased from 54.6% in 2008 to 80.5% in 2011, but only 34.7% of 6-year-old had received a complete schedule in 2010. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine VC (complete schedule) increased to 92.7% in the 24- to 35-month-old population. Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) VC (2 injections) increased in 24- to 35-month-olds from 60.3% in 2008 to 81.0% in 2011. In 2011, 64.2% of 24- to 35-month-olds had received a second dose of MMR vaccine before 25 months vs. 45.4% in 2008. BCG VC in 12- to 35-month-olds was 73.2% in Ile-de-France, where vaccination is recommended in all children vs. 15.5% elsewhere (vaccination only recommended in high-risk children). Conclusion. This study shows a significant improvement of VC in young French children. However, outreach efforts should continue to be made, especially to adolescent and adult populations, in whom VC is very low. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.