Immunisation status of children in Germany: temporal trends and regional differences.

UNLABELLED: In Germany- a low coverage with hepatitis B and measles vaccines and a considerable delay in administration of all recommended vaccines were previously apparent. Whether there have been improvements and whether there are regional differences within Germany is not known. Using representative nationwide telephone interviews on 2-701 children born 1996-2003- we assessed vaccination coverage for the first dose or full primary series (2/3 doses- depending on vaccine used) at 24 months of age. The proportions vaccinated with the first dose- full priming and full immunisation (2/3 doses plus booster in the 2nd year of life) until the end of the recommended age (3- 5 and 15 months- respectively- for diphtheria- tetanus- pertussis- polio- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B vaccines (DTPPolioHibHep)- and 15 for the first measles- mumps and rubella dose (MMR) were used as indicators of compliance with national guidelines. Coverage for polio- Hib and hepatitis B vaccines increased- while cove