Preschool children at high risk for measles: opportunities to vaccinate.
OBJECTIVE
In 1989 and 1990 the United States experienced a measles epidemic with more than 18,000 and 27,000 reported cases, respectively. Nearly half of all persons with measles were unvaccinated preschool children under 5 years of age. We sought to identify potential sites for vaccine delivery.


METHODS
Preschool children with measles were surveyed in five inner cities with measles outbreaks in 1989 to 1990 to assess the children's use of health care services and federal assistance programs before contracting measles.


RESULTS
Of 972 case children surveyed, 618 (64%) were eligible for measles vaccination at measles onset. Of those, 93% had previously visited a health care provider (private physician, public clinic, hospital emergency department, or hospital outpatient department) and 65% were enrolled in a federal assistance program (AFDC, WIC, or food stamps). Based on parent-reported reasons for health care visits, in Dallas and New York City, health care providers of 24% of 172 children may have missed at least one opportunity to administer measles vaccine.


CONCLUSIONS
Many potential opportunities exist to raise the vaccination coverage of unvaccinated preschool children. These opportunities depend on (1) health care providers taking advantage of all opportunities to vaccinate, and (2) immunization services being linked to federal assistance programs.
Division of Immunization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga. 30333.
S S
SS
Hutchins
J S
JS
Gindler
W L
WL
Atkinson
E
E
Mihalek
D
D
Ewert
C E
CE
LeBaron
E B
EB
Swint
S C
SC
Hadler
D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D011203:Poverty; D011632:Public Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014504:Urban Health
D008458:Measles Vaccine