Leading Health Indicator 6 Immunization Florida 2010 Goal for Children and Youth Prevent the occurrence of vaccine preventable diseases in Florida's children HP 2010 Goal Prevent disease, disability and death from infectious diseases, including vaccine-preventable diseases

Immunizations have wiped out the threat of childhood diseases that killed and disabled many young children at an earlier time in history. In 1900, 1,980 per 100,000 preschoolers died in the U.S.⁽¹⁾  By 1998, this was reduced to 35 deaths per 100,000.(2) The 10 most common are Varicella (Chickenpox), Tetanus (Lockjaw), Poliomyelitis (Polio), Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (German measles), Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B HIB Infections.⁽¹⁾   One of Florida's greatest dangers for an epidemic is from persons who come to Florida from other countries — five of eight measles cases in 1997 were contracted from visitors to Florida from other countries.⁽⁴⁾   Recommendations for vaccines change frequently as new vaccines are discovered, offering children furtherprotection. The state of Florida has recognized the importance of national funding of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program⁽⁵⁾   which provides free vaccines to private and public health care providers.