BACKGROUND:
The PA Department of Health (PA DoH) has had, since 1996, a statewide provider education program. The Immunization Education Program (IEP) is a partnership between PA DoH; the PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP); PA Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP); and PA Osteopathic Medical Society (POMA).

OBJECTIVE:
Improve immunization rate in private practices.

METHOD:
The IEP provides on-site, 1 ½ hour, free, interactive, CME/CEU updates for the entire practice staff delivered by a presenter team of a physician or nurse practitioner, practice manager, and PA DoH immunization nurse. From 1/1/97-12/31/03, the IEP did 780 presentations to 13,230 providers and practice staff. IEP referrals come from VFC staff, school nurses, IEP presenters, and marketing. Collaboration between PA AAP and PA VFC has flourished, the curriculum’s original pediatric focus expanded to encompass the lifespan, and a practice manager follow-up component was added. VFC's referring a practice for an IEP optimally occurs while the VFC assessor is at the practice. If not, an IEP staff member contacts the site. One year later, the site is contacted by letter and phone to offer a repeat CASA, and an IEP if one was not done in the previous year.

RESULT:
Process evaluation: number of presentations, size and type of audiences, and results of a structured telephone questionnaire evaluating presenters and presentation conducted 2 weeks post-IEP. Outcome evaluation: three year analysis of IEP 1997-1999, yearly analysis of NIS data and PA child day care immunization data using WellCareTracker.

CONCLUSION:
Problems persist in raising PA's NIS data above 75% for the basic series. IEP is refocusing on practical ways to avoid missed opportunities and drop-off after 12 months, and enhance reminder/recall including a pilot project conducting chart reviews of 19-month-olds.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe collaboration between PA VFC and PA Immunization Education Program.
Describe provider education and practical reminder/recall alternatives.