Improvement of On-Time Immunization of Infants in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: Infants cared for in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are at risk for vaccine delays during their NICU stay resulting in under-immunization at time of hospital discharge or hospital unit transfer. Adherence to the routine immunization schedule as published by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) minimizes the risk of contracting vaccine preventable illnesses in this vulnerable population. Define: Before the implementation of improvement measures, 56% (419 of 754) of infants cared for in the Mayo Clinic NICU were fully up-to-date for routine immunizations at the time of discharge or unit transfer. The Healthy People 2020 …