Information for Providers

Immunization Strategies

Low immunization rates leave children vulnerable to some serious and life-threatening diseases. The following strategies are proven actions private and public providers can undertake to increase immunization rates in children:

• Reduce immunization record fragmentation.
  • Enroll in the Florida State Health Online Tracking System (Florida SHOTS™). Busy practices have found the Florida SHOTS™ can assist them in the challenges of assessing ever-changing and complex immunization requirements and schedules involving different vaccine manufacturers and combination vaccines.
    
  • Use the Florida SHOTS™ to look up records for each child before immunizing to avoid administering unnecessary shots.
  • Record all shots administered into the Florida SHOTS™.
    
• Ensure vaccines are affordable.
• Enroll in the Florida Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides vaccine at no cost to providers to immunize children who meet certain eligibility requirements.
• Immunize on-time, every-time.
• Check every child’s immunization status at every visit and give all needed immunizations simultaneously.
• Follow only true contraindications.
• Follow the Minimum Interval Catch-up Immunization Schedule for children who have missed any shots.
• Administer the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine universally.
• Be "4" Sure. Give the 4th DTaP on time.
• Remind and Recall All Children Needing Immunizations
• The Florida SHOTS™ includes mechanisms to perform reminder/recall.
• Use letters, postcards and phone calls to remind parents to bring children in when immunizations are due and to recall children when shots are overdue.
• Participate in the CDC's annual National Immunization Survey (NIS).
  • Complete NIS questionnaires to verify immunizations given to children of surveyed parents.
  • The Bureau of Immunization can assist providers in completing the questionnaire by searching multiple sources to obtain a complete copy of the child’s immunization record.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Recommendations and Guidelines: Reminder Systems and Strategies for Increasing Vaccination Rates
• Some Common Misconceptions about Vaccination and How to Respond to Them

Immunization Action Coalition

• Providing Vaccination Services

Bureau of Immunization

• Suggestions to Improve Your Immunization Services
• Office Manager's Checklist
• When to Schedule
• Manual Reminder and Recall System