Vaccines for Children Program, United States, 1997

Abstract

Greater numbers of children are likely to benefit from an even higher participation rate among immunization providers in the VFC program, particularly among family physicians and private physicians. The public-private collaboration developed by the VFC program should be capitalized on so that public sector resources can help pediatricians and family physicians practice according to the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices.

Adoption of Reminder and Recall Messages for Immunizations by Pediatricians and Public Health Clinics

“…18 Policy makers need more specific information about these barriers, as well as the factors that have helped adopters of reminder or recall messages and assessment/feedback systems overcome them. The perspectives of pediatricians are particularly important because Ͼ70% of children receive their vaccines from pediatricians 21 and Ͼ80% receive vaccines in the private sector. 22 The aims of this study were to 1) determine the proportion of pediatric practices and public clinics that currently use practice-based reminder or recall messages and make regular immunization assessment efforts, 2) evaluate barriers and supports to implementing these practices, and 3) identify predictors of either current use or plans for future adoption of these approaches.…”

Physician Knowledge and Perspectives Regarding Influenza and Influenza Vaccination

“…We and others have found similar results in other studies regarding childhood vaccinations. 14,15 The wording of the AAP/ACIP recommendation for the 2002-2003 season was that influenza vaccination for healthy children 6-23 months of age was "encouraged to the extent feasible", 5,6 but was not recommended. Interestingly, about half of respondents interpreted the word "encouraged" to mean recommended and fewer than ten percent could correctly indicate that there was no formal recommendation for healthy children.…”

Preventing cervical cancer

“…23 Private and public providers who participate in the VFC program in over 47,000 sites 18 vaccinate eligible children with federally purchased VFC vaccines as approved through resolutions by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). 23,24 Children aged 18 years and younger who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, and/or American Indian or Alaska Native (as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act) are eligible to receive vaccine from providers through the VFC program. 25 Children in this age group who are categorized as ''underinsured'' (because their health plans do not include coverage for recommended vaccinations) may receive VFC vaccines if they are served by a rural health clinic (RHC) or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).…”

“…25 Children in this age group who are categorized as ''underinsured'' (because their health plans do not include coverage for recommended vaccinations) may receive VFC vaccines if they are served by a rural health clinic (RHC) or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). 23,25 The VFC program helps families of children who may not otherwise have access to vaccines by providing vaccines at no purchase cost to physicians who serve them. Grantees participating in the VFC program enroll providers who administer vaccines to eligible patients.…”