BACKGROUND:
Houston's immunization coverage levels have consistently been lower than both the national and statewide levels for the last decade. Using geographic information systems (GIS) and epidemiologic methods, this project was initiated in an effort to improve coverage in the Houston area through strategic planning of targeted outreach and resource use by identifying areas most in need of services.

OBJECTIVE:
The objectives of this project are to aid the Immunization Bureau in data-driven decision making and planning for resource allocation and outreach efforts through the epidemiologic and geographic representation of immunization and resource data.

METHOD:
After compiling data about immunization services, providers, health resources, and vaccine-preventable diseases from a variety of sources, a collection of maps was created and traditional statistics calculated. The map collection allows the visual representation of appropriate data for many epidemiologic and planning questions. The combination of the map collection and traditional statistics can then be used for determining appropriate resource allocation and areas in need of services and targeted outreach efforts.

RESULT:
Preliminary results of the project have been used for planning for vaccine safety and management during flood conditions as well as planning outreach efforts. Additionally, the maps resulting from this project have been used in presenting data and increasing awareness about Houston's immunizations needs within the health department and the local Immunization Task Force. Data from this project has also been used in the development of marketing and recruitment tools for the Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry.

CONCLUSION:
The geographic representation of immunization and resource data is a useful tool when used in combination with traditional data sources for planning and making data-based decisions about immunization services and outreach.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To demonstrate the usefulness of geographic information systems (GIS or mapping) as a tool for immunization planning.