Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices

Abstract

Although 97%-98% of children in the United States are vaccinated before or shortly after starting school, the proportion of preschool children who have completed a full series for all recommended vaccines is considerably lower. Although low immunization coverage among preschoolers has been attributed to difficulties in reaching certain groups, such as the urban poor and racial and ethnic minorities, more recent evaluations suggest that the health-care delivery system itself bears much of the responsibility. To eliminate barriers and obstacles (e.g., appointment-only systems and unnecessary prevaccination physical examinations) that impede efficient vaccine delivery and to encourage providers to take advantage of all health-care visits as opportunities to provide vaccinations, 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 representing 22 public and private agencies. These 18 standards have since been recommended by the NVAC, approved by the U.

Age-appropriate versus up-to-date coverage of routine childhood vaccinations among young children in Israel

“…[6][7][8][9][10] The overall concept of routine childhood vaccination programs stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health agencies is that vaccine doses should be given at defined ages, according to the schedule, and delay is undesired. [11][12][13][14] However, delay and incompleteness of routine vaccinations are very frequent and have been reported in high income countries and in middle and low income countries worldwide. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Monitoring immunization coverage is essential for planning actions to improve acceptance of recommended childhood vaccines and to evaluate the program impact.…”

Effect of Vaccination Coordinators on Socioeconomic Disparities in Immunization Among the 2006 Connecticut Birth Cohort

“…numerous ways clinicians can efficiently and effectively ensure that all infants in their care receive timely vaccinations. 5,18 The specific interventions that contribute the majority of influence to the national narrowing of SES-related disparities are unknown.…”