BACKGROUND:
Annually, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) organizes mass vaccination clinics during the back to school season. In conjunction with these back-to-school clinics, there is a higher influx of the population receiving immunization services at public health department clinics located throughout the city of San Antonio. The back to school season serves to increase immunization rates and meet changes in Texas school entrance requirements. From July 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004, more than 30,000 doses were administered to over 16, 000 clients during back to school clinics and at public health department clinics.

OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study is to identify trends among populations that delay compliance with school immunization policies.

METHOD:
During the back to school season client demographic information, missing immunization history, and doses administered were immediately entered into the San Antonio Immunization Registry (SAIRS) at the time of each encounter. The SAMHD is capturing data dealing with immunizations, basic client demographics, child health, maternal health, and family planning visits. An analysis of these demographic and health related factors will be performed and results will be linked to an assessment of immunization coverage levels performed utilizing CASA Software. Factors for analysis include: type of insurance coverage, telephone availability, type of family household, race/ethnicity, number of children in family, degree of education, and presence of a medical home.

RESULT:
Results for this study will be available in early spring of 2005 allowing for identification of population characteristics that substantially increase likelihood of delay by assessing completion of age appropriate vaccinations.

CONCLUSION:
Study results are expected to be used in developing necessary interventions that will improve timely immunizations by educating parents, schools, medical providers, and the community at large.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1.) Learn a methodology for identifying factors delaying recommended immunizations.
2.) Eliminate immunization barriers created by client behaviors.