Tools to increase timely immunization

  • AFIX
  • AFIX is a quality improvement strategy designed to raise immunization rates and improve standards of practices at the provider level.
  • CoCASA
  • The Comprehensive Clinic Assessment Software Application (CoCASA) is a free, menu-driven relational database developed by the National Immunization Program of the CDC to assist immunization clinics and providers in assessing pediatric and adolescent immunizations.
  • VFC
  • VFC helps families by providing free vaccines to eligible children.
  • SCHIP
  • The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), provides free or low cost insurance for eligible children without private insurance.

 

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Resources for Healthcare Providers

Report: “Just One More Visit To Be Fully Vaccinated”

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume 20, Issue 4, Supplement 1 , May 2001, Pages 32-40

This Study reveals that of the children who did not receive all doses of the recommended vaccinations, three fourths had four or more immunization visits.  Vaccination coverage increased as the number of visits increased, and children who had completed the series were more likely to receive multiple vaccinations than those who had not.  The majority of children who had not completed the full series needed only a single additional visit. If all children who needed only one visit were to receive that final visit, the national coverage rate would be 93%.  Elizabeth T. Luman MS, Shannon Stokley MPH, Danni Daniels MS and R. Monina Klevens MPH, DDS

Report: “Recommendations Regarding Interventions to Improve Vaccination Coverage”
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume 18, Issue 1, Supplement 1 , January 2000, Pages 92-96

This report provides evidence-based recommendations to improve coverage rates including how to increase community demand for vaccines, insure access, use reminder/recall strategies and to partner with community-based organizations including WIC. 

Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedule- This Schedule lists the ages (birth to 18 years old) for when each vaccine or series of shots is to be given.  It is approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Vaccine Information Statements -Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) are information sheets produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that explain to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives both the benefits and risks of a vaccine. Federal law requires that VISs be handed out whenever (before each dose) certain vaccinations are given.  Visit this webpage to see the VISs for all childhood vaccines.

Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practice –The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) called for the development of standards for immunization policies and practices. Eighteen standards were developed in collaboration with a 35-member working group.  These 18 standards have since been recommended by the NVAC, approved by the U.S. Public Health Service, and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The standards are presented and discussed in detail in this report.

General Recommendations on Immunization: Recommendations of the ACIP and AAFP -This report provides technical guidance regarding common immunization concerns for health-care providers who administer vaccines to children, adolescents, and adults.

Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) - The ACIP, which consists of experts in fields associated with immunization, develops written recommendations for the routine administration of vaccines to the pediatric, adolescent and adult populations, along with schedules regarding the appropriate periodicity, dosage, and contraindications applicable to the vaccines. The ACIP website contains all of the ACIP recommendations

American Academy of Pediatrics Childhood Immunization Support Project: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seeks to address these issues and support pediatricians through implementation of the Childhood Immunization Support Program (CISP). This program works to improve the immunization delivery system across the nation by developing an infrastructure within the Academy to support its members and providing education and resources on immunization and immunization-related issues.

American Immunization Registry Association – The American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA) is a membership organization and promotes the development and implementation of immunization registries as an important tool in preventing and controlling vaccine preventable diseases. Visit the registry profiles on their website to learn more about the registry in your community.

Immunization Registry Clearinghouse - This section of the CDC website contains information regarding immunization information systems (registries) including technical development and guidance documents, information for providers about the benefits of registries, enrollment contacts, etc.

National Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  - As a disease-prevention program, NIP provides leadership for the planning, coordination, and conduct of immunization activities nationwide. Visit their website for up-to-date information on immunization.
National Network for Immunization Information – This organization provides up-to-date, science-based information about vaccines and immunization to healthcare professionals, the media, and the public.  Visit this organization’s website to sign up for “Immunization Newsbriefs”, which contains summaries of recent vaccine news coverage and is sent out via e-mail every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) - The National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) has responsibility for coordinating and ensuring collaboration among the many federal agencies involved in vaccine and immunization activities. Their website provides pertinent information about childhood, adolescent, and adult immunizations. You will find publications and reports on vaccine preventable diseases, vaccine safety, vaccine coverage, immunization laws, and immunization registries.

National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) – NVAC’s purpose is to advise and make recommendations to the Director of the National Vaccine Program on matters related to program responsibilities.  Visit the NVAC webpage to learn more about their functions and their meetings.

The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - The Vaccine Education Center provides accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information about childhood vaccines, and the diseases they prevent, to parents and healthcare professionals.  Visit the Center’s website for videos, informational tear sheets and speakers programs, which seek to dispel some of the common misconceptions and misinformation surrounding childhood vaccines. The goal is to communicate the facts about each vaccine as well as how vaccines are made, how and why vaccines work, who recommends them, whether they are safe, whether they are still necessary, and when they should be given.

For an extensive list of resources and contacts, please click here