The Effect of An Innovative Immunization Schedule on Immunization Coverage Rates among Oklahoma Vaccine for Children Providers

Background:
According to the 2002 and 2003 National Immunization Survey (NIS), Oklahoma had lower immunization coverage rates than the national average. In an effort to increase coverage rates, the Oklahoma Immunization Program adopted and introduced the OK by One Schedule, a simplified innovative immunization schedule, to Vaccine for Children (VFC) providers in April 2004. The simplified immunization schedule is a pictorial design which provides a specific targeted age of one year for administering the primary childhood vaccines as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Objectives:
To determine if there was a difference in immunization coverage levels of VFC providers with the introduction of the OK by One Schedule. Identify other factors which may influence immunization coverage rates.

Methods:
Randomly selected VFC providers were administered a questionnaire to evaluate providers' immunization practices. Immunization coverage rates were assessed for each provider practice pre- and post- the OK by One schedule implementation.

Results:
The mean difference (11.9%) in the immunization coverage rate pre-OK by One (35.8 %) and post-OK by One (47.7%) and calculated to be statistically significantly (P = < .0001).

Conclusions:
The simplified schedule served as an important educational aid in the provider-based intervention focused on increasing immunization coverage rates. The study can serve as a guide for immunization projects working with provider practices that may not routinely administer pediatric vaccines or have detail vaccine knowledge to important in maintain high immunization coverage rates.