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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Carol A. Hoban, MS, MPH1, Del Carvell1, Mike Chaney1, and Susan E. Lance-Parker, DVM, PhD, MPH2. (1) Department of Human Resources, Georgia Division of Public Health, 2 Peachtree St., NW, Suite 14-105, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-657-2588, Cahoban@dhr.state.ga.us, (2) Notifiable Disease Section, Georgia Department of Human Resources, 2 Peachtree St., NW, Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
Objectives. To examine trends in immunization coverage for two-year-old children in Georgia during the 1997-2001 study years.
Methods. A stratified retrospective cohort study was used to ascertain immunization coverage for two-year-old children born and still residing in Georgia during each of the study years.
Results. Between 1997 and 2001, coverage for most of the childhood vaccines changed very little. However, Varicella vaccine coverage increased more than four-fold from 19% in 1997-98 to 78% in 2001. During the same period, the proportion of Georgia children who received their immunizations at a private provider's office rather than a public health clinic rose from 20% in 1997-98 to 70% in 2001.
Conclusions. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program was implemented in 1994 to improve access to immunizations for children who are uninsured, on Medicaid, of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent, or underinsured (have health insurance but vaccines are not a covered benefit) and receiving health care at federally qualified health centers. In 1997, Georgia expanded the VFC program to private providers, which resulted in a shift in vaccine provision from the public to the private sector.
The increase in Varicella coverage is also associated with policy changes. Varicella vaccine was licensed in 1995, became available to VFC providers in Georgia during 1996, and was recommended by the ACIP in 1996. However, use of the vaccine increased dramatically when Varicella vaccination became an entry requirement for daycare in 2000 and became a school entry requirement for sixth and seventh grade students in 2001.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Immunizations,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.