Annual Virginia Immunization Survey

Purpose of Survey

The Virginia Department of Health conducts a retrospective survey annually of children in daycare facilities, Head Start programs, kindergartens and 6th grades to measure compliance with school required vaccinations.  Immunization histories from enrollees are collected by VDH and analyzed to assess their age-appropriate immunization status at specific ages.  Then data from the individual sites are combined into the respective category so statewide immunization rates can be calculated for each facility category.

Survey Categories and Terms

DC - daycare facilities
HS - Head Start programs
ELEM - public kindergartens
PK - private kindergartens
KG - combined public and private kindergartens
Pub6 - public 6th grade
Priv6 - private 6th grade
MS - combined public and private 6th grades
SY - school year

Immunization Rates

HS & DC Programs @ 24 months of age –
4-3-1-3-3-1-3, which is 4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 1 MMR, 3 HiB, 3 HepB, 1 Var, and 3 PCV
ELEM, PK and KG @ school entry-
4-4-2-3-2, which is 4 DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 HepB, and 2 Var
6th Grade @ school entry-
3-2-1-1, which is 3 HepB, 2 MMR, 1 Tdap, and 1 Var

Methods of Survey

All students enrolled in Virginia public and private day care centers, Head Start programs, kindergartens and six grades are candidates for assessment.  Using a statistical technique known as probability proportional to size, approximately 13,000 children from 600 sites are selected and examined for immunizations and their dates of administration.  Using the CoCASA assessment software, immunization rates for vaccine series completion at 24 months of age and as of the 1st day of school for both kindergartens and 6th grades are determined.  All data are handled confidentially.  Virginia allows only medical and religious exemptions.

Survey Findings and Results

Click HERE for a PDF summary of category compliance with immunization requirements, SY 2008-SY 2012

Click HERE for a PDF summary of Single Antigen Coverage Rates at 24 months of age for SY 2012

Click HERE for a PDF summary of kindergarten compliance rates at school entry, SY 2008-SY 2012

Click HERE for a PDF summary of compliance with school requirements for 6th grade, SY 2008-SY 2012

Click HERE for a PDF summary of medical and religious exemptions for kindergartners, SY 2004-SY 2012