Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Technical Assistance Topics

Topic Description

ArticleRendered

Childhood immunization rate improvement strategies

Monday, January 01, 0001


CCOs and health care providers are uniquely positioned to implement interventions to improve childhood immunization rates. 

Examples of evidence‐based clinical and health plan strategies for increasing immunization rates:
  • Using quality improvement principles and tools to identify root causes of under‐immunization and appropriate interventions to improve childhood immunization rates, which may include:
    • Assessing the completeness and accuracy of immunization data in the EHR and in ALERT Immunization Information System; and
    • Analyzing clinic workflow.
  • Improving access to immunizations, which may include:
    • Identifying areas in the CCO region with no or few Vaccines for Children providers and ensuring families in these areas have access to providers; and
    • Using standing orders, offering immunization‐only appointments and having extended hours for immunizations.
  • Reducing missed opportunities for immunizations and recalling patients who are behind schedule, which may include:
    • Checking immunization records at every encounter;
    • Tracking patients who follow an alternative immunization schedule; and
    • Recalling patients who are behind schedule.
  • Increasing knowledge and awareness about immunizations in clinics, which may include:
    • Identifying training needs and organizing training opportunities; and
    • Providing resources and updates to clinics.
  • Increasing demand for immunizations, which may include:
    • Implementing strategies to reduce nonmedical exemptions. For example, work with local public health authorities to identify and provide outreach to schools and children’s facilities with above average rates of nonmedical exemptions, or make training available to providers on effective communication strategies with vaccine hesitant parents; 
    • Developing partnerships with WIC, early learning hubs, home visiting programs or other programs that serve families with young children to promote immunizations; and
    • Providing incentives to parents and families to immunize children.
​​