Last Updated: February 2016

Author: Immunization Program, Vermont Department of Health

In 2015, 93 % of primary care providers enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program received a site visit. During these visits education is provided and practices must demonstrate full compliance with the CDC program requirements which include but are not limited to provision of all CDC recommended vaccines, vaccine storage and handling and parent education. Onsite training on the use of the Vermont Immunization Registry by Health Department staff is also conducted so practices have accurate information on the immunization status of children. Visits focused on quality improvement, known as AFIX, are also offered to providers.At the visit, practice specific immunization rates are reviewed and and evidence-based strategies to increase immunization rates are selected for implementation.

Primary care providers, the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program, National Improvement Partnership Network and CDC

Good communication, consistent messaging and a strong working relationship between the Health Department Immunization Program and the primary care provider practices enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

Strengthen the educational aspects of provider site visits

Reduce the number of staff that conduct site visits in order to ensure effective evaluation and clear messaging so that practices can meet all CDC requirements.

Together these performance measures focus on whether Vermonters are better off as a result of the Health Department's Immunization Program and Registry. They do so by looking at the quality and efficiency of these programs and services. This performance measure is important because it measures HOW WELL the program is doing; it measures quality of program effort.