Immunize Kansas Kids Action Plan– Priority Strategies and Action Items to Improve and Sustain High Childhood Immunization Rates

Background:
In Kansas, the childhood immunization rate has been historically less than the national average and marked by fluctuations. A steering committee of stakeholders called Immunize Kansas Kids (IKK) was formed with a role in assuring that Kansas children receive timely immunizations and to achieve a sustained immunization rate of 90 percent or above.

Setting:
Kansas statewide immunization community

Population:
Kansas children, focusing on the age range 0 – 35 months

Project Description:
The committee gathered 10 times over about 2 years and directed 5 research studies to fill knowledge gaps of why our children are not immunized on time. Three workgroups also were established. By the end of the IKK process , the group had produced 31 strategies and action items covering 5 overarching goals, and had committed to developing implementation plans to increase and sustain Kansas childhood immunization rates.

Results/Lessons Learned:
The findings from the IKK steering committee were published in a report. This report details barriers to improving Kansas' childhood immunization rate and provides recommendations to policymakers, providers, and parents. It also identified 10 strategies for accelerated implementation: 1. Convene an immunization panel, 2. Raise the number of VFC providers, 3. Complete electronic interfaces between local and state immunization registry systems, 4. Develop data user agreements to clarify registry access for each group of users, 5. Centralized, high-volume vaccine purchasing, 6. Uniform and higher reimbursement for vaccine administration, 7. Uniform and higher reimbursement for cost of vaccine, 8. Continue incentive initiatives 9. Continue provider-based assessment initiatives and 10. Conduct additional research and evaluation. Some priority strategies are being already implemented. This project underscores the value of broad stakeholder-based coalitions to address complex public health problems.