Synopsis for March 7, 2003

The MMWR is embargoed until Noon ET, Thursdays.

1. Source of Firearms Used by Students in School-Associated Violent Deaths -- United States, 1992-1999
2. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication -- India, 2002
3. Vaccination Coverage Among Children Enrolled in Head Start Programs, Licensed Child Care Facilities, and Entering School -- United States, 2000-01 School Year
4. Smallpox Vaccine Adverse Events among Civilians -- United States, February 25-March 3, 2003

Synopsis for March 7, 2003

Source of Firearms Used by Students in School-Associated Violent Deaths -- United States, 1992-1999

Most firearms used in school-associated violent deaths committed by students come from their home or from a friend or relative.

CDC provides data that highlight the need for new approaches to keep firearms away from unsupervised children and other unauthorized users. CDC researchers found that firearms used in school-associated homicides and suicides committed by students primarily came from their homes or from a friend or relative. More than 88% of the firearms used by a student to commit suicide and over 50% of the firearms used in homicide events came from either the home or a friend/relative of the homicide perpetrator or suicide victim. More than 25% of school associated violent deaths involved a firearm obtained from a friend or relative. Parents should consider discussing firearm storage practices with their relatives and the parents of their children’s friends.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication -- India, 2002

The resurgence of polio in India in 2002 was a setback for the national and global polio eradication initiative.

In India, the incidence of polio decreased substantially from 1995 through 2001, with just 268 cases reported nationwide in 2001. A major regional resurgence of polio occurred in 2002 with a total of 1,556 cases reported nationwide (as of January 25, 2003). Of these, 1,337 cases occurred in the two northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Large numbers of children remained susceptible to poliovirus infection due to low oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) coverage caused in part by less frequent and lower quality supplemental immunization activities (SIAs). SIA quality is being improved and additional SIAs are planned for 2003. To eradicate polio in India will require effective partnership between the national and state governments as well as major international partners.

Vaccination Coverage Among Children Enrolled in Head Start Programs, Licensed Child Care Facilities, and Entering School -- United States, 2000-01 School Year

One of the national health objectives for 2010 is to maintain >95% vaccination coverage among children attending licensed child care centers and kindergarten through postsecondary school.

National estimates of vaccination coverage among children in licensed child-care facilities, Head Start Programs, and those entering school have been published yearly since 1997 on the basis of reports from federally funded immunization programs. Coverage reported for the 2000–2001 school year appears similar to that in previous years; however decreases in the number of programs reporting and the completeness of the reports do not permit national coverage to be estimated reliably. CDC is working with states and territories to assure that vaccination rates remain high among these children by implementing strategies for collecting and reporting coverage estimates. CDC is working with states and territories to assure that vaccination rates remain high among these children by implementing strategies for collecting and reporting coverage.

Smallpox Vaccine Adverse Events among Civilians -- United States, February 25-March 3, 2003

Summary Not Available.

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