The health needs of children in public care: the results of an audit of immunizations of children in care.

An immunization audit was conducted to assess the health status of children in public care in the boroughs of Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland. The audit found that children in public care have lower immunization rates and more incomplete schedules than the local population. Obtaining health data about these children can be problematic. For purposes of accuracy, it is important to refer to all the child's health records. Some children who were initially thought to have incomplete schedules had completed their immunizations, whereas others who were thought to be up to date had incomplete schedules.