Making the Shots: A Data-Driven Approach to Improving Rates of Child and Adolescent Immunizations

Childhood immunizations is a UDS measure on which is notoriously difficult to improve. The change in the age cut-off for the measure from 3 to 2 years along with persistent cultural and social factors surrounding vaccinations has made this measure a challenge for community health centers. Hear how one CHC in Missouri approached improving their rates of both childhood and adolescent immunizations through a combination of community outreach, staff education, and a strong IT solution. Samuel U. Rogers experienced a ~40% drop in their rates of childhood immunizations between 2015 to 2016 with the measure change from 3 to 2 years and resolved to improve. Staff conducted outreach campaigns using specific registries to identify children missing immunizations and turning two in the next 6 months, as well as a patient visit planning report to see what vaccinations were due at the point of care. Staff engaged in a similar process for adolescent HPV immunizations, at the same time working within the community to educate parents on facts about vaccinations and provide financial assistance for care. Samuel U. Rogers achieved a 13% improvement between 2016 and 2019 and continues to improve steadily with their combination of patient education and data usage.