Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation participants will know how to engage provider offices in community based immunization program improvement.
By the end of this presentation participants will understand strategies to reduce vaccine wastage and educate parents about vaccine safety.

Background:
The Arizona Partnership for Immunization in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services Immunization Program presents training programs to improve immunization outcomes in public and private provider offices. Through free educational programs TAPI is able to engage medical office staff in community solutions to under-immunization. Participants learn to work with parents as partners in immunizing children on schedule, addressing safety issues, properly ordering and storing vaccines and using the immunization information system.

Setting:
The program is conducted in a ½ day seminar including lunch. Educational materials are provided as inserts to the training manual including samples of educational tools with federal and state requirements. A Power Point presentation is used to guide the discussion through an easy to understand strategy for improved immunization delivery.

Population:
The primary focus is on children under 2 years of age, but all patients benefit from strategies.

Project Description:
VFC providers are invited to attend the trainings at a central location in a geographic region. The training is scheduled for a half day including lunch so that the participants receive valuable information on immunization friendly office practices, state requirements, CASA assessments, vaccine handling, storage and recommendation as well as the state immunization registry. Trainers include
• Program staff – TAPI
• VFC Representative – ADHS
• Registry Technical Support Specialist - ASIIS
Initial training includes follow up support on all programs, and an evaluation based on an on-site administered post test.

Results/Lessons Learned:
The participants are able to identify requirements for the state immunization program, the state registry, vaccines for children guidelines and office practices that enhance parental compliance with immunization schedule intervals.