The vaccines for children program. Policies, satisfaction, and vaccine delivery.

OBJECTIVES

Characterize the Vaccines for Children (VFC) programs in Minnesota and Pennsylvania, assess providers' satisfaction with each state's program, and examine changes in doses administered in the public sector since implementation of the VFC.

METHODS

Primary care providers participating in the VFC in Minnesota and Pennsylvania were surveyed. Doses administered were based on data from the National Immunization Survey. Outcome measures included satisfaction, ease of use of VFC, doses of immunizations administered through public health departments, and overall immunization coverage for the two states.

RESULTS

Most participating providers in each state (80% to 94%) reported overall satisfaction with the VFC. Pennsylvania physicians were less satisfied with quarterly ordering of immunizations than were Minnesota providers with monthly ordering (56% vs 80%, p<0.05). The most common recommendation was to reduce paperwork. Doses administered in the public sector declined in Minnesota from approximately 146,000 in 1994 to 65,400 in 1999, and in Pennsylvania from approximately 250,000 to 79,300 during the same period.

CONCLUSIONS

The VFC appears to increase the numbers of poor and uninsured children who receive necessary childhood immunizations within their medical homes. Providers are generally satisfied with the program.