KEYWORD1:
WIC, Incentives, Infant Immunizations

BACKGROUND:
Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) provides immunizations at permanent community based clinics. The clinic sites are located throughout the county at various community centers, shopping malls and churches. Three clinics are located in WIC sites. Clinics provide service daily or monthly with evening hours. The clinics provide express immunizations to all children under two. With the addition of new day care and school requirements, there has been a decrease in the percentage of infants seen at the clinics from 40% to less than 20%. MCDPH has also seen a decrease in the completion rates for children by two years of age. Currently MCDPHS and the state of Arizona are 48th in the nation for children complete by two years of age.

OBJECTIVE:
To increase the immunization rates of children under two by focusing on WIC participants in Maricopa County.

METHOD:
To increase immunization clinics at WIC sites from three to seven. The remaining WIC sites where immunizations are not provided, will receive “express passes” to attend the WIC-Immunization sites, or any other MCDPH site. Incentives will be provided to WIC participants for up-to-date immunization at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12-15 months of age. Children may present an up-to-date record from another immunization provider and will receive an incentive. Education will be provided to WIC staff and clients. Providers will be notified of the WIC-Immunization incentive program through immunization and organization newsletters. The WIC staff, WIC participants and immunization staff will evaluate the effectiveness.

RESULT:
Pending

CONCLUSION:
Pending
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
To determine the effect on the immunization rate of children complete by two for MCDPH by allocating more resources to WIC participants.