• Recommended immunizations for adults aged 65 years and older include a yearly immunization against influenza (flu) and a one-time immunization against pneumococcal disease. Most of the deaths and serious illnesses caused by influenza and pneumococcal disease occur in older adults and others at increased risk for complications of these diseases because of other risk factors or medical conditions.
• Data for this indicator report are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an ongoing survey of adults regarding their health-related behaviors, health conditions, and preventive services. Data are collected in all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories. Responses have been weighted to reflect the New Mexico adult population by age, sex, ethnicity, geographic region, marital status, education level, home ownership and type of phone ownership. The US Healthy People 2020 Target for this measure is 90%.
• The NMDOH Immunization program supports coverage by ensuring Public Health Offices and Federally Qualified Health Centers have access to PCV13 and PPSV23 for their uninsured patients.
• During FY19-Q1, the Immunization Program:
  • Promoted pneumococcal vaccines at the Aging Conference in August 2018. Had interactions with over 200 seniors that attended the health fair. 
  • Prepared data for the Televox/Pfizer Reminder Recall imitative for adults aged 65 years and older about their annual Medicare wellness visit and to ask about immunization. This will be sent out later in the year to households in New Mexico. 
  • Finalized the Community Health Representative (CHR) tribal training on immunizations as part of the American Indian (AI) Project and will start the pilot training in October. 
  • Participated in the webinar ‘Reducing Morbidity, Mortality and Health Care Costs Through Adult Immunizations’ led by Dr. L.J. Tan of the Immunization Action Coalition.
• For FY19-Q2, the program will:
  • Pilot training for the CHR tribal training on immunizations as part of the AI Project.
  • Run a reminder/recall notice through NMSIIS for patients aging into Medicare.
  • Additional items as determined.

• Public and private adult immunization providers across the state
• University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Immunization Coalition  
• Indian Health Service
• New Mexico Medical Society
• HealthInsight New Mexico

Immunizations are one of the most effective public health tools for preventing and eradicating disease yet adult immunizations have not reached the coverage levels of childhood immunizations, particularly among members of minority groups. The low rates of immunization among adults are the result of many factors including: lack of access to preventive health services; the belief that adult immunizations are not necessary; and the lack of basic knowledge about the high risks of disease and death linked to pneumonia/influenza in the elderly.

Effective reminder-recall notices and provider feedback are dependent upon complete and accurate immunization records in NMSIIS. A primary Immunization Program goal is to improve registry data quality by continuing to increase electronic data exchange, train providers statewide, and assure that all adult vaccine providers are entering immunizations into NMSIIS.  Another strategy is Training of Trainers for the CHR training in communities.

Milestones: 

Q1

• Promote Pneumococcal vaccines at the Aging Conference in August 2018. Completed.
• Interact with seniors that attend the health fair. Completed.
• Prepare data for the Televox/Pfizer Reminder Recall initiative for adults 65 years of age and older about their annual Medicare wellness visit and ask about immunization. Completed. Completed.
• Finalize the CHR tribal training on immunizations as part of the AI Project and start the pilot training in October. Completed.

Q2: 

• Pilot the CHR tribal training on immunizations as part of the AI Project.

Q3:  

• Train 20 Community Health Representatives (CHRs) on CHR curriculum as part of the A&I Project to reduce pneumonia and influenza amongst our Native American/American Indian  population.          

Q4:       

• Train/educate a minimum of 10 providers on the importance of immunization against pneumonia and influenza as part of the initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality for the entire population as a whole but with an emphasis on Native Americans/American Indians.

Despite setbacks there have been great achievements in terms of proceeding work planned for FY19. Some work is still ongoing and will improve the outcomes for some milestones for FY18.