Toward Immunizing Every Child On Time

Few procedures pediatricians undertake can compare with the impact of immunizations on their patients. A recent cost-benefit analysis by Battelle Medical Technology documented that approximately $29, $21, and $6 in total costs were saved for every dollar spent on diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccines (DTP), measles, mumps, rubella vaccines (MMR), and oral poliovaccines (OPV), respectively (Hatziandreu et al, manuscript in preparation). Immunization is also important because of its relationship to other aspects of primary care. Children who are underimmunized at 24 months of age are 3 to 12 times less likely to have been screened for anemia, tuberculosis, or lead.