US infant mortality rate lags behind other developed nations
The United States ranks 29th in the world for infant mortality. That's far behind other developed countries.
Infant mortality measures the number of children who die before their first birthday.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. rate in 2004 was almost seven infants per 1,000 live births.
Rates are generally the lowest, below 3.5, in countries like Sweden, Norway, Japan and Hong Kong.
Officials say the increase in the number of preterm births is one reason for the United States' ranking.
(Copyright 2008 by NBC. All Rights Reserved.)
My mind couldn't help but wonder what the vaccine schedule looks like in the countries with the lowest infant mortality, as mentioned in the article, Sweden, Norway, Japan, and Hong Kong.
The following information is provided for your education. Please draw your own conclusions.
Vaccines administered to children under age 12 months in Sweden (2nd lowest in infant mortality):
At birth: None
(The Hep B vaccine is only given at birth to infants of mothers positive for hepatitis B. The BCG vaccine (tuberculosis vaccine) is only recommended to children considered high-risk groups. Vaccination is normally given at 6 months or later.)
3 Months: DTap, IPV, Hib (as one combination vaccine)
5 Months: DTap, IPV, Hib (as one combination vaccine)
12 Months: DTap, IPV, Hib (as one combination vaccine)
Total vaccines received by 12 months of age: 9
(Please note that in 2009 the schedule will be amended to include the PCV7 vaccine at 3, 5, and 12 months of age bringing the total vaccines administered by 12 months to 12.)
Source: EUvac.net
Vaccines administered to children under age 12 months in Norway (10th lowest in infant mortality):
At birth: None
(The Hep B vaccine is recommended for risk groups only. The BCG vaccine is given to children of immigrants from countries outside low endemic countries.)
3 Months: DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV7
5 Months: DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV7
12 Months: DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV7
Total vaccines received by 12 months of age: 12
Source: EUvac.net
Vaccines administered to children under age 12 months in Japan (3rd lowest in infant mortality):
At birth: None
(The Hep B vaccine is recommended for children whose mothers test positive for Hep B.)
Between 3 and 12 Months: 2 doses OPV, 3 doses DTaP
(The BCG vaccine is also administered before 12 months of age but it is unclear from the information if it is given only to certain risk groups or to all infants.)
Total vaccines received by 12 months of age: 5 (possibly 6)
Source: Infectious Disease Surveillance Center (the most current schedule available is from mid-2005)
Vaccines administered to children under age 12 months in Hong Kong (4th lowest in infant mortality):
At birth: BCG, Hep B
(It appears that both the BCG vaccine and the Hep B vaccine are administered to all infants without regard to risk.)
1 Month: Hep B
2 Months: DTaP, IPV (combination vaccine)
4 Months: DTaP, IPV (combination vaccine)
6 Months: DTaP, IPV, (combination vaccine), Hep B
12 Months: MMR
Total vaccines received by 12 months of age: 11
Source: Centre for Health Protection
Vaccines administered to children under age 12 months in the United States:
At birth: Hep B
1-2 Months: Hep B
2 Months: Rota, DTaP, Hib, PCV, IPV
4 Months: Rota, DTaP, Hib, PCV, IPV
6 Months: Hep B, Rota, DTaP, PCV, IPV
(The Influenza vaccine is also recommended starting at age 6 months on a yearly basis.)
12 Months: Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, Hep A
Total vaccines received by 12 months of age: 22 (23 if you include the Influenza vaccine)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Source for infant mortality rankings (Note: this source actually lists the US as 41st in lowest infant mortality; I did not find the list that ranked the US at 29th): CIA World Factbook
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