Tetanus immunization of adult members of an HMO

Am J Public Health. 1984 Aug;74(8):841-2. doi: 10.2105/ajph.74.8.841.

Abstract

Thirty-nine per cent of 1,900 randomly selected adult Health Plan members received one or more tetanus injections during a 10-year period of continuous eligibility. Age-specific immunization rates decreased from 47 per cent for 20-39 year olds to 28 per cent for those over age 70. Nearly half of the elderly, age 60+, received a booster of tetanus toxoid rather than tetanus-diphtheria toxoids as recommended by the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee of the Centers for Disease Control. Access to care does not appear to be a sufficient condition for achieving recommended levels of immunization, especially among the elderly.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Diphtheria / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Health Maintenance Organizations*
  • Humans
  • Immunization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Immunization, Secondary / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oregon
  • Sex Factors
  • Tetanus / prevention & control*