Operation Immunize: A Success in Kansas
By Marcia Manter, head Start Specialist, Region VII TASC, Community Development Institute, Raytown, Missouri
Operation immunize grew out of a vision by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Drawing together a statewide coalition of business leaders, State officials, and public health specialists, (including Head Start health coordinators), Kansas set a goal of vaccinating 90% of all children by the age of 2.In 1992, these leaders drafted a thorough working plan to reach all children across the state. The effort supplemented the work already done by the health department and the Vaccines for Children Program. Operation Immunization publicized weekend clinics where parents could bring their children to get immunized. For example, Kansas First Lady linda Graves used her talents and energies to speak throughout the State about their immunization program, BEE WISE: IMMUNIZE.
Four phases of Operation Immunization are completed, which resulted in 70,725 vaccinations serving 31,425 children. Forty-nine percent were under 3 years of age. The program so far has run 400 clinics in 80 counties, and has utilized 1000 volunteers. The most recent round of clinics, in April 1996, expanded into 90 counties.
Operation Immunize broke down traditional barriers to vaccinations by:
Today the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is moving ahead to establish a statewide immunization tracking system. The Kansas Health Foundation is providing funds for this project so that parents will be able to enter the names of their children in a computer system and then receive notices when follow up vaccination are due. In more highly populated areas, an auditing system is implemented which makes computer calls to parents to remind them of needed immunizations.
- Offering free shots to children under the age of 3;
- Offering weekend and evening clinics;
- Using high profile promotional campaigns;
- Recruiting volunteers to staff clinics; and
- Coordinating and cooperating with public health and private organizations
Kansas has been honored for its efforts by the Council of State Governments with an Innovative Award, one of only eight States to be so honored. These awards are given to statewide projects that represent the best new and creative approaches to significant State problems.
--Questions about Operation Immunization can be directed to the Bureau of Disease Control's immunization Program at (913) 296-5594.
SOME REASONS CHILDREN FAIL TO GET THEIR IMMUNIZATIONS:Source: Region VII TASC, Community
- A rise in vaccine costs from $11 to about $280 for the series of infant immunizations.
- Referrals from private doctors to clinics for free vaccines, breaking continuity of care.
- False beliefs that vaccine- preventable diseases have been eliminated.
- Lack of awareness that children need 80% of their vaccinations by age 2.
- Distrust of the health care system.
- Inconveniently located clinics with hours that are too short.
- Inadequate transportation to clinics for some parents.
- Fear of shots.
- Missed opportunities by health care providers to vaccinate children.
- Lack of adequate central data immunization records to link providers.
Development Institute, Raytown, MO.
(816) 356-5373.