2008 Expanded KRS Results
The Expanded Kindergarten Retrospective Survey (KRS) is one of the only sources about local childhood immunization coverage in California. Five local health departments conducted this survey in 2008. The Immunization Branch worked with the local jurisdictions to select a sample of kindergarten schools to be surveyed. Local health department staff then visited these schools and collected copies of student immunization records for review.
The expanded KRS uses birth dates and immunization dates to estimate retrospectively the immunization coverage rates at 24 months of age among kindergarten students. Coverage rates in the five selected counties are in Table 1 below.
| Table 1: Immunization Coverage at 24 Months of Age among Current Kindergarten Students in Selected Schools, 2008 |
| County |
Sample Size (n) |
4:3:1(1) |
4:3:1:-:3(2) |
4:3:1:-:3:1(3) |
| Contra Costa |
712 |
81.0% |
79.0% |
76.0% |
| Sacramento |
1,581 |
72.9% |
69.8% |
62.3% |
| San Diego |
3179 |
79.0% |
76.0% |
72.0% |
| Santa Clara |
1,319 |
83.7% |
80.4% |
73.9% |
| Tulare |
1,478 |
71.2% |
69.5% |
66.6% |
| 1. Four or more doses of DTaP, three or more doses of Polio, and one or more doses of MMR |
| 2. Four or more doses of DTaP, three or more doses of Polio, one or more doses of MMR, and three or more doses of Hep B |
| 3. Four or more doses of DTaP, three or more doses of Polio, one or more doses of MMR, three or more doses of Hep B, and one or more doses of varicella |
| Source: 2008 Expanded Kindergarten Retrospective Surveys |
Special Population Study: PBE Review
This year, in lieu of the standard fall selective review of seventh grade students, the Immunization Branch will request that Immunization Coordinators and local health department staff visit selected kindergarten schools with high rates of personal beliefs exemptions (PBE).
Currently, local health departments and CDPH do not know which vaccines have been received by students with PBEs. The Immunization Branch will review California School Immunization Records (CSIRs or “blue cards”) to determine what proportion of children with PBEs are completely or partially unvaccinated and which vaccines are most frequently exempted. Findings from this study will allow the Branch to better target educational efforts for parents. Selective review of kindergarten schools and the Kindergarten Retrospective Survey (KRS) will continue as usual.
The Immunization Branch sent postcards to kindergarten and PBE selected review schools to remind them to update their CSIRs in preparation for the review. Immunization Coordinators can expect more information and materials later this month. The Branch extends its gratitude to the members of the PBE Workgroup and to all Immunization Coordinators and field staff for their work. For additional information, contact Teresa.Lee2@cdph.ca.gov or Madina.Sharifi@cdph.ca.gov. |
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