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It is very important to measuring immunization
coverage locally and not only on large units such as states or nations. This
is because immunization coverage is not usually homogenous within states or
localities. Pockets of low coverage leaves population susceptible to
outbreaks of disease, such as occurred in the US with the 1989-91 measles
resurgence. While coverage for the MMR vaccine was considerably high on the
state and national level, there were many pockets of low coverage such as
regions within Los Angles and Detroit. The result of these pockets of low
coverage was a major resurgence of diseases. Immunization coverage is an
important local issue. Additionally, measuring coverage on the local level
allows interventions to be targeted to local areas to improve immunization
coverage. |