[Vaccination coverage in young children and school children in the Bern canton]

In 1995 immunization coverage at 24 months of age and after the first school year was estimated according to the method recommended by the WHO. Vaccination booklets of 840 children born in 1986, 1987, 1988 or 1991 in the Canton of Berne were reviewed. The response rate was high (96%). The immunization coverage at 24 months of age were for measles 74%, for mumps and rubella (MMR) 72% higher than for diphteria (D), tetanus (T) (62%) and poliomyelitis (polio) (60%) (4 doses) (p < 0.0001). Of the Swiss children born in 1991 32% were vaccinated against tuberculosis. Children 24 months of age of all years had generally a similar immunization coverage. The 101 children of foreign nationalities showed somewhat lower vaccination rates. Immunization uptake for MMR, DT and polio (4 doses) increased over time, so that children born in 1986 at 8.5 years of age had the rate (> 95%) to be reached at the end of the second year of life. After the first school year 88% of the 8.5 years old children presented a vaccination against MMR and 91% a vaccination against measles. Intensified efforts are necessary to achieve a higher immunization coverage at 24 months of age especially among children of foreign nationality, a timely administration of vaccines according to recommended immunization schedule and to restrict BCG vaccine to children at increased risk of tuberculosis.