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.
  
• Report immunizations to immunization registries and Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
  
• Provide vaccine information sheets.

Priority Aims:

1. Increase the percentage of patients who are on time with recommended immunizations.
   
2. Increase the percentage of patients who are up to date with recommended immunization.
   
3. Increase the percentage of patients/parents who receive education regarding immunizations.
   
4. Reduce missed opportunities for administering immunizations.
   
5. Patients who are not on time with recommended immunizations will have a "catch-up" plan.
   

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.