In case you haven’t noticed, we like to scan state-by-state health research to see where Massachusetts stacks up. The August 2005 issue of the American Journal of Public Health has a good one. “Timeliness of Childhood Immunizations: A State Specific Analysis” by Elizabeth Luman et al measures “percentage of all children receiving recommendation vaccinations.” We’re number one at 25.5 percent (CT is #2 at 19.7%). On the measure, percentage of all children receiving vaccinations as acceptable”, we’re number one at 39% (NH is #2 at 34%). I know, the results are not that impressive, unless you compare us with the other 49 states.
So congratulations to all our Commonwealth’s hardworking pediatricians and primary care docs for doing the right thing, and to our fabulous Department of Public Health. By the way, this data is from 2000 to 2002, befroe the fiscal crisis began to decimate DPH.
