Increase Immunization Rates in Children
Low immunization rates leave children and communities vulnerable to some serious and life-threatening diseases. The following strategies are proven actions private and public providers can undertake to increase immunization rates in children:
Immunize on-time, every-time.
- Check every child's immunization status at every visit and give all needed immunizations simultaneously.
- Follow only true contraindications.
- Follow the Minimum Interval Catch-up Immunization Schedule for children who start late or fall behind.
- Administer the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine to all infants.
- Be "4" Sure. Give the 4th DTaP on time.
Reduce immunization record fragmentation.
- Enroll in the Florida SHOTS™ (Florida State Health Online Tracking System).
- Use the Florida SHOTS™ to look up records for each child before immunizing to avoid administering unnecessary shots.
- Record all shots administered into the Florida SHOTS™.
Ensure vaccines are affordable.
- Enroll in the Florida Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides vaccine at no cost to providers to immunize children who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Remind and recall all children needing immunizations.
- The Florida SHOTS™ includes mechanisms to perform reminder/recall.
- Use letters, postcards, and phone calls to remind parents to bring children in when immunizations are due and to recall children when shots are overdue.
- Manual Reminder and Recall System
Participate in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual National Immunization Survey (NIS).
- Complete NIS questionnaires to verify immunizations given to children of surveyed parents.
- The Immunization Program can assist providers in completing the questionnaire by searching multiple sources to obtain a complete copy of a child's immunization record.
Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Recommendations and Guidelines: Reminder Systems and Strategies for Increasing Vaccination Rates
- Some Common Misconceptions about Vaccination and How to Respond to Them
