2008 LHD and CHC Immunization Coverage Assessment Results

The 2008 statewide public clinic assessment included 135 local health department (LHD) clinics and 236 community health centers (CHCs).  This was the first year that the birth cohort matched a calendar year, i.e. children born between 1/1/2005 and 12/31/2005.  To measure the immunization status of children served by these clinics, local staff collected immunization records from all two-year-olds attending the clinics (n = 43,409) and entered them into the Comprehensive Clinic Assessment Software Application (CoCASA). 

Similar to recent years, statewide coverage levels for the 4:3:1:3:3:1 series were 66.3% (±0.71%) in health department clinics and 75.3% (±0.52%) in CHCs.  (Table 1) CHC coverage levels are similar to the National Immunization Survey (NIS) estimate of 78.6±3.9 during the period of 3/2007-2/2008. As LHD clinics provide “safety net” immunizations to patients who receive immunizations from multiple providers, coverage levels at LHD clinics tend to be lower than at CHCs, which offer continuity of care.
Coverage levels by local health jurisdiction as well as individual health department and CHC clinic results listed in ranking order, are available online. For additional information, contact Betty.Tran@cdph.ca.gov.

Kindergarten Selective Review and PBE Survey Forms Due

The Branch extends thanks to all Immunization Coordinators and their staff for their hard work on the 2009 Kindergarten Selective Review (KSR) and Personal Beliefs Exemption (PBE) Survey. Completed forms (blue for the KSR and green for PBE Review) along with copies of the California School Immunization Record (Blue Card, PM-286) were due to the Branch May 1. Late submissions should be mailed ASAP to Jason Stubbs at the Immunization Branch, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804.  For questions, contact  Teresa.Lee2@cdph.ca.gov or Madina.Sharifi@cdph.ca.gov. 

Child Care and Kindergarten Assessments Begin

In April, the Immunization Branch began emailing child care lists to Immunization Coordinators. These lists are to be used for the upcoming fall 2009 assessments mailing and should be retained by IZ Coordinators as a reference. During May, the Branch is emailing kindergarten lists to Immunization Coordinators to review for accuracy. Updates to the lists are due back to the Branch by June 15.