No 9 - 2010

Vaccination coverage was calculated on 30 November 2009 on the basis of person-identifiable data from the national childhood vaccination database. The reported coverage is a minimal estimate as only vaccinations performed in Denmark and by GPs are included.

Method of calculation

The so-called code method was used to calculate vaccination coverage, EPI-NEWS 6/10. In the two previous reports on primary DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccination coverage, EPI-NEWS 8/07 and 37/08, another calculation method was employed. Consequently, coverage is not directly comparable to previous reports.

For some birth cohorts, vaccination was expected not to have been concluded at the set calculation date. For the birth cohort 2009, this is the case for DTaP-IPV/HIB 2 and 3, for the 2008 cohort, DTaP-IPV/HIB 3, and DTaP-IPV revaccination for the 2004 cohort. Vaccination coverage for each vaccine is shown by birth year in Table 1 and Table 2.

DTaP-IPV/Hib 1, 2 & 3

In the birth cohorts 2001-2008, 85-91% had received the first, 86-91% the second and 86-90% the third DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccine. Coverage has followed a slightly declining trend as from 2001 with 2006 marking the lowest coverage recorded. As from 2007, the coverage of all three vaccinations has followed a slightly increasing trend, with the proviso that vaccination has not been completed for all birth cohorts.

DTaP-IPV revaccination

The vaccination coverage for birth cohorts 1995-2002 was 80-84%; the highest coverage corresponds to cohorts 1997 and 1998. Since birth cohort 1999, a relatively low, but stable coverage of 80-81% has been observed.

Regional coverage

DTaP-IPV/Hib 3 coverage for birth cohorts 2006-2008 and DTaP-IPV revaccination coverage for birth cohorts 2002-2004 were generally lower in Copenhagen City, i.e. the municipalities of Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, than in the remaining parts of Denmark, Table 3.

Commentary

As from birth cohort 2007, a slightly increasing trend has been recorded for DTaP-IPV/Hib vaccinations performed at 3, 5 and 12 months. The increase is small and it should be taken into account that vaccination has not been completed in the affected birth cohorts. The increase coincides with the introduction of the 7-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine to the Danish childhood vaccination programme, EPI-NEWS 7-8/10. It is conceivable that the increased attention created by the introduction has contributed to a generalised increase in the coverage of the childhood vaccination programme.

The coverage of DTaP-IPV revaccination has not increased, but maintains a stable level corresponding to revaccination of 4 in every 5 children by the age of 5 years. Even though coverage is a minimal estimate, the share receiving DTaP-IPV revaccination is less than optimal.

(P. Valentiner-Branth, P.H. Andersen, Dept. of Epidemiology., J.B. Simonsen, Dept. of Epidemiological Research)

Pandemic vaccine to non-risk group persons

Excess pandemic vaccines are now offered to healty citicens who have not previously been offered the vaccine. Vaccines may be ordered free of charge from Statens Serum Institut. Vaccination notification is still compulsory, EPI-NEWS 45/09. General practitioners may report vaccinations using service code 8934, which is not remunerated by the Regions. Alternatively, vaccinations should be reported via the Danish Vaccination Register at www.ssi.dk (Danish language).

The microbiological 24-hour service at SSI has been discontinued

As from 1 March 2010, the microbiological 24-hour service at SSI was discontinued.

The opening hours of the Clinical Microbiology Department are working days 8.00-15.30 and Fridays 8.00-15.00. In the opening hours, a microbiologist is available via SSI's main phone number +45 32 68 32 68 and also +45 20 16 19 93. The counselling service is no longer available outside normal opening hours.

Health staff may contact the on-call physician of the Department of Epidemiology outside normal working hours for queries concerning indication for and dispensing of vaccines for post exposure prophylaxis and antiserums on phone.: +45 41 31 74 04.

In case of an acute biological event, the physician on call at to Center for Biosecurity and Biopreparedness (CBB) should be contacted by phone: +45 32 68 81 27.

Individually notifiable diseases and selected laboratory diagnosed infections  

3 March 2010