Evaluation of a community immunization outreach program--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Abstract

Every year the Philadelphia Department of Public Health selects roughly 5000 10-month olds not up-to-date (UTD) for their 6-month vaccinations for a community-based outreach program. To evaluate the outreach program's effectiveness from 2008 to 2012. Outreach children from 2008 to 2012 were compared with children not selected for outreach on UTD rates and median UTD age in a retrospective cohort study. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : 10- to 15-month olds from targeted Philadelphia ZIP codes. Outreach workers investigated immunization status, educated families on the importance of timely immunizations, and assisted patients in securing health care services to bring children UTD on their 6-month vaccinations. Outcomes included UTD status for recommended vaccinations due by 6, 15, and 18 months and median age at which 15- and 18-month vaccinations were completed for outreach versus nonoutreach children. Outreach children had significantly higher UTD rates for 6-month vaccinations than nonoutreach children. Outreach children also had significantly higher UTD rates for 15- and 18-month vaccinations, and therefore the effect of outreach is lasting. From 2008 to 2012, median UTD ages for 15- and 18-month vaccinations were significantly lower for outreach than for nonoutreach children. Outreach was effective in increasing immunization UTD rates and is a useful tool for improving childhood immunization rates in urban settings.