Scope and Target Population:
To protect persons of all ages in the United States from infectious diseases through the use of vaccines.

Clinical Highlights and Recommendations:

• Utilize all clinical encounters as opportunities to assess a patient's immunization status.
  
• Administer at each clinical encounter all immunizations that are due or overdue unless true contraindications exist.
  
• Educate patients (parents, if applicable) regarding the importance of infant, childhood, adolescent and adult immunizations, the recommended schedule and the need to maintain a personal record of immunizations and childhood diseases.
  
• Document reasons for not administering immunizations that are clinically indicated, and flag the record for a recall appointment.
  
• Document the future plan for administering immunizations.

Priority Aims:

1. Increase the rate of people on time with recommended immunizations.
   
2. Increase the rate of special groups (pediatrics, adolescents, young adults, adults, seniors) on time with specific antigen immunizations.
   
3. Reduce missed opportunities for administering immunizations.
   
4. Increase the rate of people who are not on time with recommended immunizations who have a catch-up plan.
   
5. Increase the rate of postimmunization serologic testing for appropriate groups.

Additional Background:
Change in immunization practice is occurring at an ever-increasing pace. Recommendations from national advisory bodies are subject to frequent revision, with the addition of new vaccines further complicating the schedule. It is imperative that providers are informed regarding all schedule options and are utilizing all opportunities to fully immunize all patients.