The impact of the standards for pediatric immunization practices on vaccination coverage levels.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact on clinic-specific vaccination coverage of implementing the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices.


METHODS
A nonrandomized intervention trial conducted for 1 year.


METHODS
Two public health clinics in Albuquerque, NM: 1 intervention site and 1 control site, each serving 1 of 4 city quadrants.


METHODS
All children enrolled in the 2 city public health clinics.


METHODS
Implementation of the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices.


METHODS
Assessment of up-to-date vaccination coverage levels prior to and at the conclusion of the project. The impact on the proportion of children who dropped out of vaccination services after receiving 1 dose by 3 months of age.


RESULTS
At the intervention site, up-to-date coverage at 12 months of age rose from 57.5% to 80.4%, while levels at the control site decreased from 42.1% to 41.9%. Before the intervention, 24% of children at the intervention site who received the first dose of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine (DTP 1) by 3 months of age failed to receive the third dose of DTP (DTP 3) by 12 months of age vs 5% after the intervention. At the control site, the proportion of children who received DTP 1 by 3 months of age, but not DTP 3 by 12 months of age, increased from 39% to 51%.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices in a public health clinic was associated with important increases in vaccination coverage levels and a reduction in the proportion of children who dropped out of vaccination services.
Pierce
C
C
New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division, District I, Albuquerque, USA.
Goldstein
M
M
Suozzi
K
K
Gallaher
M
M
Dietz
V
V
Stevenson
J
J
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000592:standards*; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D009516:New Mexico; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D011055:Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral