Predicted Effects of a New Combination Vaccine on Childhood Immunization Coverage Rates and Vaccination Activities

Abstract

Introduction: A new combination vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP)-hepatitis B (HepB)-inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) [DTaP-HepB-IPV], recently became available for use in the US primary infant-vaccination series. Our objectives were to estimate its effects on immunization-coverage rates, vaccination activities, and health-system costs in US dollars (2003 values). Methods: A model was developed and applied to medical records of 775 children born in mid-2001 who received primary care at 32 private pediatrics centers. DTaP-HepB-IPV use was predicted by applying decision rules to selectively substitute it for component vaccines, in compliance with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' minimum age and time interval criteria. The model considered effects of DTaP-HepB-IPV on use of HepB at ageDTaP-hepatitis-B-poliovirus-vaccine, Immunisation-coverage, Vaccines