title: Coverage for the entire population: tackling immunization rates and disparities in Saskatoon Health Region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of an intervention, the Immunization Reminders Project, in terms of a) improving vaccination coverage rates for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) among 2-year-olds and b) ameliorating geographical disparities in early childhood immunization coverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 14-month-old and 20-month-old children in Saskatoon Health Region who were overdue for their immunizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Saskatoon Health Region (SHR).
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention involved calling the parents/caregivers of the children in the target population with a reminder about immunizations. After five telephone calls and if the parent/caregiver could not be reached, a letter was mailed to the last known address. If there was no response to the letter, a reminder home visit was attempted for families residing in the low-income neighbourhoods in Saskatoon. Since January 2009, all reminders for families not residing in the low-income neighbourhoods in Saskatoon are made through mailed letters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the introduction of the Immunization Reminders Project, coverage rates among 2-year-olds for MMR increased significantly overall and in most geographical areas examined. Disparities between geographical subgroups appeared to be declining, but not significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A universal approach to early childhood immunization can likely contribute to increases in coverage rates, but there is still room for improvement in SHR. These findings have prompted additional practice and policy changes.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Observatory, Public HealthServices, Saskatoon Health Region, 101-310 Idylwyld Dr. N., Saskatoon, SK. jennifer.cushon@saskatoonhealthregion.ca
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cushon
authors.forename: Cory O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Neudorf
authors.forename: Tanis M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kershaw
authors.forename: Terry G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.forename: Nazeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhajarine
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000517:prevention & control; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009107:Mumps / Q000517:prevention & control; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017010:Reminder Systems; D012409:Rubella / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
keywords: child; immunization; intervention studies