BACKGROUND:
The Project Immunize Virginia (PIV) Stay On Track Daycare Initiative will help daycare providers ensure that children under two are appropriately immunized. Sentara Healthcare, Old Dominion University, and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) are members of PIV, the statewide coalition to promote immunization across the lifespan. A partnership of these stakeholders was formed to pilot this initiative in high-risk daycares in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

OBJECTIVE:
The Stay On Track Daycare Initiative is expected to improve immunization rates in participating daycare centers. By improving time appropriate immunizations, children in the center will benefit through decreased exposure to vaccine-preventable illness. This will allow center staff to focus more on standard activities rather than issues related to illness or potential for illness.

METHOD:
Four daycare sites from five Hampton Roads cities were recruited into the program. Immunization Action Plan Nurses from the local health departments will be assisted by Old Dominion nursing students to implement the program. Tickler systems will be implemented in daycare sites. The CDC/NIP Immunization Scheduler will be used to track each child’s compliance with the 2003 Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule. Nurses will check for compliance on a monthly basis and reminders or congratulations letters will be given.

RESULT:
The Stay On Track program is currently in the implementation phase. Results are pending.

CONCLUSION:
The program is anticipated to increase the percentage rate of children attending daycare who are appropriately immunized with their fourth DTaP and to increase parent provision of their child's current time appropriate immunization record to the daycare center.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Participants will understand the importance of increasing immunization rates for children under 2 years.
2. Participants will describe the fundamentals of the Stay On Track Daycare Initiative.
3. Participants will describe the value of coalitions in community projects.