Immunization Section

Major Focus Areas

Program Management

  • The work of the Immunization Program is carried out through the efforts of trained State staff and through partnership and collaboration with medical organizations, other state agencies, and community coalitions.
  • Vaccine financing is accomplished through the use of state and federal funds in order to provide vaccine for uninsured and under-insured children in Georgia, and for certain adult populations.

Vaccine Management

  • The Immunization Program oversees the acquisition, distribution, and management of vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, as well as vaccine acquired through state and other federal funding.

Immunization Information Systems (IIS)

  • As of July 2004, all health care providers are mandated by law to report to the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) all immunizations given to persons of any age. They also can then access this database to get updated information on their clients' immunization status.
  • In addition to housing immunization records, GRITS allows providers to track their vaccine inventory, print the GA Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231), and send reminder/recall notices to clients.

Provider Quality Assurance

  • The Immunization Program has developed ongoing programs to inform and educate providers and to promote immunizing all age groups at every appropriate opportunity.
  • These efforts are accomplished through the use of State staff and through collaboration with professional organizations to provide education to and assessment of individual medical practices.
  • Other education programs include the provision of resource materials both directly to providers and through exhibits at professional conferences; the availability of a daily "oncall" line; and the addition of immunization messages to appropriate community and coalition newsletters.

Service Delivery

  • The Immunization Program continues an ongoing effort to make sure that immunization services are available to all Georgia citizens. They do this by providing vaccine through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program; encouraging public health districts to provide off-hours clinics; offering educational materials and services for culturally diverse populations; and encouraging providers to develop reminder and recall systems.

Consumer Information

  • The Immunization Program supports and utilizes activities that will enhance the public's awareness of the importance of immunizations for all age groups.
  • Among other things, consumer education is accomplished through the distribution of pamphlets and flyers to providers for their clients and also directly to the public through health fairs; the availability of an "oncall" line that consumers can call directly to get information; and the use of radio ads and public service announcements on current immunization issues.

Surveillance

  • The Immunization Program works closely with other programs in the Division of Public Health to coordinate, monitor, and report the incidence and follow-up of vaccine-preventable diseases in Georgia.

Population Assessment

  • The Immunization Program collaborates annually with the Epidemiology Branch of the Division of Public Health to conduct a population-based survey of 2-year-old children living in Georgia since the year 2000. (See Publications to view these reports.)
  • Other assessment activities include school and child care facility immunization inventories, and the use of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to enhance program planning, especially in the areas of influenza and pneumococcal immunization services to adults 65 years of age and older.