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County
of San Diego
Health and Human Services Agency
IMMUNIZATION BRANCH
Programs and Services
The County of San Diego Immunization Branch (SDIB) provides programs and interventions focused on reducing vaccine-preventable disease by raising immunization coverage for the county’s children, adolescents and adults. A variety of public and private agencies and individuals work together to implement the programs and interventions, which address access and availability of immunization services, community education, outreach, and assessment to meet the national Healthy People 2010 goals for immunizations.
Clinical Services
Barrier-Free Immunization Services
Barrier-free baby shots are available for no or low cost at more than 40 public clinic sites throughout the county for children under two years of age. The VIP Clinic, operated by SDIB, serves as a test site for Branch immunization interventions and immunization registry software updates, and as a hands-on training venue to Pediatric and Family Practice medical residents. SDIB also supports and collaborates with the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program, which provides free vaccine to the private medical community for low-income/uninsured children.
Contact:
Immunization Branch Information Line (619) 692-8661
Medical Assistants Immunization Training (ISI Immunization Skills Institute)
Medical Assistant training on immunization is offered quarterly, using the California DHS Immunization Skills Institute model. Hands-on training is provided on storage and handling and administration of vaccines. Demonstrations on how to use the San Diego Regional Immunization Registry are also provided as well as information on how to sign up to become a user.
Contact:
ISI Coordinator (619) 692-8661
Medical
Resident Education
The Immunization Rotation is designed for primary care residents in training. This curriculum emphasizes the principles of appropriate immunization practice, avoidance of missed opportunities to immunize, knowledge of appropriate contraindications to immunizations, and provision of all immunizations for which a patient is due at a single visit. The immunization curriculum features indoctrination of appropriate practice patterns early in training and overcoming patient and parent perceptions about what constitutes appropriate care.
Contact:
Public Health Nurse (PHN) (619) 692-8661
Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program
SDIB provides case management for pregnant women who test positive for Hepatitis B, including follow-up on infants and susceptible household contacts. Information and education is provided to medical providers and the general public, and the coordinator acts as liaison with laboratory personnel, health professionals and appropriate hospital staff.
Contact:
Perinatal Hepatitis B Coordinator (619) 692-8661
San Diego Hospital Influenza Immunization Partnership (SDHIIP) Project
This program is a collaboration among local area hospitals. Initially funded by a 2-year grant from the CDC, the program focuses on immunization promotion programs for healthcare workers at participating hospitals with the goal of raising coverage rates for influenza and Tdap. Infection Control and Occupational Health representative from each hospital work together to identify strategies for improving promotion, identifying efficient delivery and tracking systems to improve coverage rates among healthcare workers. SDIB provides evaluation support by conducting periodic surveys of hospital staff, interviewing key personnel that are integral to the planning and implementation of the programs, and in the development of new promotional materials.
Contact:
SDHIIP Coordinator (619) 692-8661
Vaccine Management
SDIB provides vaccine monitoring for Public Health and non-Public Health providers who use State-supplied vaccine to ensure compliance with reporting, and with required Vaccines for Children (VFC) annual reporting.
Contact:
PHN (619) 692-8661
Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD) Surveillance and Case
Investigation
SDIB conducts passive surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases by reviewing data submitted from medical providers, infection control nurses, hospital and reference laboratories, and schools. Suspect and confirmed VPD cases are investigated and appropriate control measures are instituted to protect contacts. Currently participating in a study in conjunction with the CDC to compare diagnostic methods for Pertussis. SDIB‘s role is in recruitment, and coordinating diagnostic lab test to be performed in Regional Health Centers.
Contact:
PHN (619) 692-8661
Provider Services
CalWORKS
Immunization Intervention Project
This project seeks to increase the immunization coverage level of children receiving assistance through CalWORKs, MediCal, Food Stamps and other social services programs by checking immunization records and notifying parents of deficiencies. CalWORKs staff assess immunization records through the San Diego Regional Immunization Registry (SDIR). Parents are requested to bring their children’s immunization records to intake and renewal appointments for review at all Health and Human Services Agency Family Resource Centers.
Contact:
CalWORKs Immunization Project Coordinator
(619) 692-8492
Immunization Management Consultancy / Medical Care Provider
Education
The Immunization Management Consultancy (IMC) offers an in-office immunization management consultation program to San Diego County private medical care providers. Services include chart assessments, data analysis and a tailored in-service educational presentation that targets strategies, including the San Diego Regional Immunization Registry, to improve coverage rates for that practice. Services are free of charge and are conducted in the medical office.
Contact:
Immunization Management Consultant (619) 692-8492
Registry-Based Outreach Component Project
This project is designed to increase immunization rates by assisting families who have started the vaccination series, but have fallen behind. The San Diego Regional Immunization Registry (SDIR) identifies families of infants and toddlers between one and two years of age who are behind on immunizations and have failed to return for an appointment. Trained bilingual outreach workers contact the family, assess the child’s immunization record, and encourage the family to return to the referring provider if necessary to receive needed immunizations. A written response with an updated immunization record is sent to all referring providers. This service is provided for public and private providers participating in the Registry.
Contact:
Provider Services Manager (619) 692-8492
California Immunization Registry (CAIR--previously known as SDIR)
CAIR is a statewide computerized immunization tracking system that enables medical providers and other authorized organizations to access the record of all immunizations given to an individual in both the public and private sectors, and to more effectively manage vaccine delivery and improve the patient’s access to appropriate immunizations. The Registry assists providers by providing a current record of all vaccines the patient has received, forecasting the doses needed according to AAP/ACIP schedules, documenting and printing immunization records, producing reminder and recall mailings to patients/parents, producing reports for internal and external audits, and managing vaccine inventories. It assists patients (especially parents) by providing one central database that stores all of a person’s immunizations and provides reminders of shots due when needed.
Contact:
Registry Program Manager (619) 692-8403
Webinars/Online Seminars
Periodically throughout the year, online trainings or webinars offering CEUs and CMEs are available to providers free of charge. The webinars address important issues such as new vaccines and recommendations, updates to existing vaccines, and significant new scientific or manufacturing information that may affect vaccine delivery in pediatric, adolescent and adult patients. The Immunization Branch also sponsors and facilitates all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention satellite training courses on immunization. CME/CEU credits are offered to medical care professionals for these courses.
Contact:
Provider Services Manager (619) 692-8492
WIC Immunization Project
The WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Immunization Project works in collaboration with the five WIC provider agencies in the county to provide immunization record assessment, education and referral for WIC clients under the age of two. WIC staff use the San Diego Regional Immunization Registry to assess the child’s immunization record at each visit to determine up-to-date status, establish the next due date for shots and refer the parent to a provider, if appropriate. Process and outcome measures are evaluated monthly.
Contact:
WIC Coordinator (619) 542-4190
Community Education and Training
Health Education/Community Support
Health Education staff participate in local efforts to promote immunizations across the lifespan and work with government and community-based agencies, encouraging them to make immunization education interventions and record assessment part of their regular client services. Training and materials are provided at no cost to a wide range of organizations, including schools, child care providers, social services agencies, refugee service organizations, migrant education programs, teen pregnancy programs and civic organizations for a variety of events including health fairs and clinics. Health Education staff are also available to conduct informational presentations on various aspects of immunizations.
Contact:
Community Health Education and Outreach Manager (619) 692-8247
Educational Materials requests/orders
To order California Immunization Records (yellow cards) and CA School Immunization record cards (CSIR) call the Materials Hotline at 619-692-8402. You can also order materials online at www.sdiz.org.
California School and Childcare Immunization Requirements
Compliance Training and Technical Assistance All California schools and licensed childcare centers including family child care homes are required to enforce immunization requirements, to assess and maintain immunization records for all children enrolled and to submit reports to the health department every year. This program offers training and technical assistance on the California School Immunization Law compliance provides educational materials and resources to the county’s public and private schools, licensed childcare centers and licensed family child care providers, who are required to check the immunization records of children in their care as part of the law. The child care intervention is implemented in collaboration with the local licensing office, resource and referral agencies, child care associations, the state health department, and many other organizations that serve the family child care community.
Contact:
School & Child Care Coordinator (619) 692-8601; Family Child Care Coordinator (619) 692-5599
The Shots Line
Available during business hours, the Shots Line is staffed by a bilingual nurse who can help callers check immunization records over the telephone. The nurse also makes referrals for infants and toddlers to free immunization services throughout the county.
Contact:
The Shots Line (888) 692-2575
Baby
Track Program
Baby Track is a hospital-based program designed to educate new mothers about the immunizations babies’ need, the immunization schedule and the importance of identifying a medical home. In 9 local hospitals with maternity units, trained volunteers contact new mothers to encourage them to complete the infant shot series on schedule.
Contact:
Baby Track Coordinator (619) 692-5556
Community Involvement: The San Diego Immunization Coalition (SDIC) (formerly the San Diego County Immunization Initiative)
The San Diego Immunization Coalition (SDIC) is a partnership of 150 organizations working collaboratively to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases by raising immunization coverage for county children, adolescents and adults. Members participate in developing strategies to raise immunization coverage rates in the county by, attending quarterly meetings, taking part in committee work groups, and implementing successful activities into their organizations. Examples of partner activities include promoting or performing immunization record assessments, educating clients, staff or customers about the importance of immunizations and distributing educational materials. SDIB staff support the Coalition activities including assisting with coordination of immunization campaigns throughout the year targeting specific populations.
Contact:
Coalition Coordinator (619) 692-8247
Evaluation
Evaluation
and Community Assessment
Immunization Branch staff conduct immunization coverage level audits for public and private providers and for the community using various immunization assessment methods. These include the Random Digit Dialing and Kindergarten Retrospective Surveys. Outcomes, strategies and activities implemented by the SDIC are evaluated for effectiveness. Data from a variety of sources help to determine program direction. SDIB performs an annual random digit dialing phone survey to assess immunization coverage for various age cohorts in San Diego County. The Branch also participates in the annual Kindergarten Retrospective Survey to estimate statewide immunization coverage rates of kindergarten children at 2 years of age. To obtain a more reliable measure specific to coverage rates in San Diego County, SDIB also completes an expanded analysis annually. Additional activities include CASA audits of various provider sites, Quality Assurance Reviews of public clinics, and other data collection and analysis.
Contact:
Evaluation Coordinator (619) 692-5683
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