title: An evaluation of voluntary 2-dose varicella vaccination coverage in New York City public schools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed coverage for 2-dose varicella vaccination, which is not required for school entry, among New York City public school students and examined characteristics associated with receipt of 2 doses.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured receipt of either at least 1 or 2 doses of varicella vaccine among students aged 4 years and older in a sample of 336 public schools (n = 223 864 students) during the 2010 to 2011 school year. Data came from merged student vaccination records from 2 administrative data systems. We conducted multivariable regression to assess associations of age, gender, race/ethnicity, and school location with 2-dose prevalence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Coverage with at least 1 varicella dose was 96.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 96.2%, 96.3%); coverage with at least 2 doses was 64.8% (95% CI = 64.6%, 64.9%). Increasing student age, non-Hispanic White race/ethnicity, and attendance at school in Staten Island were associated with lower 2-dose coverage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 2-dose varicella vaccine requirement for school entry would likely improve 2-dose coverage, eliminate coverage disparities, and prevent disease.
authors.affiliation: At the time of the study, Margaret K. Doll, Jennifer B. Rosen, and Christopher M. Zimmerman were with the Bureau of Immunization, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, NY. Hiram Szeto is with the Bureau of School Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens. Stephanie R. Bialek is with the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Margaret K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Doll
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bialek
authors.forename: Hiram
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Szeto
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine