Impact of practice policies on pediatric immunization rates.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the relationship between practice policies and rates of up-to-date (UTD).


METHODS
Analysis of data from the 2004-2006 National Immunization Survey (NIS). Practice policies evaluated are immunization provider involvement in a vaccine registry, participation in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, and administration of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The primary outcome is rates of being UTD with the 4:3:1:3:3 vaccination series for children age 19 through 35 months.


RESULTS
The overall rate of UTD is 80.8%; 53.3% of children had providers administer hepatitis B vaccine at birth, which was associated with significantly higher rates of UTD (79.9% vs. 83.1%, P < .01). Children with multiple vaccine providers had lower rates of UTD versus those with only 1 vaccine provider (77.3% vs 82.5%; P < .01). In multivariable analysis, participation in VFC (OR 1.59, 95%, CI 1.16-2.2) and administration of hepatitis B at birth (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.05-1.5) increased the odds of UTD. Provider participation in a vaccine registry did not significantly impact rates or likelihood of UTD.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunization provider policy decisions, including administration of hepatitis B at birth, participation in VFC, and a focus on continuity of care, can improve rates of UTD for children in their practice.
Mennito
Sarah H
SH
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. mennito@musc.edu
Darden
Paul M
PM
D002675:Child, Preschool; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States