The effectiveness of assessment and referral on immunization coverage in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
BACKGROUND
The use of immunization assessment and referral (A/R) in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been shown to produce dramatic improvements in vaccination coverage when coupled with parental incentive; however, data are lacking to support the use of A/R alone.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of A/R in increasing immunization coverage among WIC participants.


METHODS
Participating WIC centers were assigned to1 of 3 interventions that delivered A/R of varying frequency or a control group.


METHODS
Twenty of the largest Public Health Foundation Enterprises-WIC centers in Los Angeles County.


METHODS
Children continuously enrolled in participating WIC centers from 6 to 24 months of age.


METHODS
Assessment of child's vaccination status followed by referral to a health care provider for those lacking indicated vaccinations.


METHODS
Up-to-date (UTD) status at 24 months of age for all recommended vaccines.


RESULTS
Baseline coverage rates were similar among all study sites (overall, 77% UTD). After the study period, compared with the controls (88% UTD), we found no differences in immunization coverage among WIC centers that administered A/R at every visit (every 2 months) to all children (90% UTD; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-1.94), every 6 months to all children (89% UTD; OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.62-1.56), or every visit to children found to be behind at 8 months of age (89% UTD; OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.48-1.68).


CONCLUSIONS
In this urban population of WIC children with high baseline immunization coverage, A/R was not effective in increasing immunization coverage.
Ashkar
Susan H
SH
Department of Health Services, Public Health, Immunization Program, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA. sashkar@dhs.co.la.ca.us
Dales
Loring G
LG
Averhoff
Francisco
F
Shefer
Abigail
A
Higa
Jeffrey
J
Thompson
Lisa
L
Gomez
Judy
J
Gee
Denise C
DC
Hurwitz
Eric L
EL
D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D015141:Los Angeles; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012042:Registries; D014505:Urban Population