Immunization
Re-adopted April 2015
Revised and adopted February 2021
Description: Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases represent an ongoing threat to the health of Vermonters. Immunization utilizing safe and effective immunizations is one of the most effective means of preventing these diseases. Yet, despite clear health benefits, adults are inadequately immunized and some parents decline or delay vaccinating their children for non-medical reasons. 1,2 Also, the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that immunizations are being allowed emergency use authorization to combat it will likely require special attention to ensure equitable access to immunization is a state, national and global priority. Immunization for those who do not have medical exemption is the best way to protect those who are unable due to medical contraindications.
Policy Statement: The VtPHA supports evidence-informed interventions that increase access and uptake of safe and effective immunizations
Supported Actions: VtPHA supports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Task Force on Community Preventive Services and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s suggested measures to overcome immunization hesitancy including3,4
Provider-based interventions such as:
Community and Government-based interventions such as:
Further, the VtPHA supports:
Potential Barriers:
Related Policies:
References:
1Ventola, C. L. (2016). Immunization in the United States: Recommendations, Barriers, and Measures to Imrove Compliance. Part 2: Adult Vaccinations. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 41(8): 492-497, 502-506.
2Ventola, C. L. (2016). Immunization in the United States: Recommendations, Barriers, and Measures to Improve Compliace. Part 1: Childhood Vaccinations. Pharmacy and Therapuetics, 41(7): 426-436. PMID: 27408519
3Center for Disease for Disease Control and Prevention. (1999). Vaccine-preventable diseases: improving vaccination coverage in children, adolescents, and adults. A report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr4808.pdf
4National Vaccine Advisory Committee. (2013). Recommendations from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee: Standards for Adult Immunization Practice. Public Health Reports. doi: 10.1177/003335491412900203
5Verhugese, J., Chattopadyay, S. K., Hopkins, D. P., & Morgan, J. M. (2016). Increasing Coverage of Appropriate Vaccinations: A Community Guide Systematic Economic Review. American Journal of Preventative Medicine. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.11.003
6Williams, J. T., Rice, J., Cox-Martin, M., Bayliss, E. A., & O'Leary, S. T. (2019). Religious Vaccine Exemptions in Kindegarteners: 2011-2018. Pediatrics, 144(6). doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2710
7Delamater, P. L., Pingali, S. C., Buttenheim, A. M., Salmon, D. A., Klein, N. P., & Omer, S. B. (2019). Elimination of Nonmedical Immunization Exemptions in California and School-Entry Vaccine Status. Pediatrics, 143(6). doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3301
8The American Public Health Association. (2000). The Need for Continued and Strengthened Support for Immunization. Retrieved from https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2014/07/28/15/09/the-need-for-continued-and-strengthened-support-for-immunization-programs
9The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. (2019). Vaccine hesitancy: a generation at risk. The Lancet, 3(5) 281. doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30092-6
10The American Public Health Association. (2010). Annual Influenza Vaccination Requirements for Health Workers. American Public Health Association. Retrieved from https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2014/07/11/14/36/annual-influenza-vaccination-requirements-for-health-workers
11American Medical Association. (2012). Adult Immunization. American Medical Association. Retrieved from https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/Adult%20Immunization%20H-440.849?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD.xml-0-3865.xml
12American Medical Association. (2015). Ending Non-Medical Exemptions for Immunization. American Medical Association. Retrieved from https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/Ending%20Non-Medical%20Exemptions%20for%20Immunization%20H-440.829?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD.xml-0-3845.xml
13American Medical Association. (2018). Achieving National Adolescent Immunization Goals. American Medical Association. Retrieved from https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/Achieving%20National%20Adolescent%20Immunization%20Goals%20H-440.901?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD.xml-0-3916.xml
About the associationVtPHA is a membership organization which facilitates collaboration among people who care about public health and are interested in protecting and promoting the health of Vermont residents. VtPHA is an Affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA). APHA is the national voice of public health and champions the health of all people and all communities. They are the only organization that combines a 140-plus year perspective, the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health and a member community from all public health disciplines and over 40 countries. Learn more at www.apha.org. | Contactadmin@vtpha.orgpha.org
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