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Mission      Activities      Goals
Mission	The mission of the Los Angeles County Immunization Program is to improve immunization coverage levels and prevent the occurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).
Immunization Program efforts are targeted primarily toward pediatric and adolescent immunizations with some adult immunization activities. Although the Immunization Program serves the entire County population, many activities are specifically directed toward communities with children at high risk of under-immunization. The Immunization Program partners with other organizations to provide outreach and immunization services in pockets of need areas which are defined as areas with large numbers of unimmunized and underimmunized children. The Immunization Program has contracts with community clinics, community-based organizations, and WIC agencies for pediatric immunization services. Through the DHS facilities, contract providers, and County Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers, the Immunization Program distributed over 740,000 doses of State-supplied vaccine to more than 150 health care providers and school-based clinics in 1998.
The Immunization Program distributes to non-profit agencies vaccines to prevent the following diseases:
	Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis Measles Mumps Rubella Polio Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Varicella Influenza Pneumococcal
Activities	Surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases Coordinate the investigation of selected reportable suspected and confirmed VPD cases. Analyze surveillance data to monitor VPD trends. VPD outbreak investigation and control Monitor VPD incidence to identify increases above threshold levels. Coordinate the investigation of selected VPD outbreaks and recommend control measures. Perinatal hepatitis B case management Conduct active surveillance and provide case management for cases and their contacts. Immunization coverage assessments Conduct Fall Assessment - Assessment of all children entering public or private kindergartens and preschools to estimate vaccine coverage levels at the time of entry. Conduct Selective Review - Assessment of a sample of children in public and private kindergartens and preschools. Conduct Licensed Family Child Care Homes assessments - Similar to the Fall Assessment and Selective Review. Conduct clinic record audits - Audits of medical records at DHS facilities and contract agencies using Clinic Assessment Software Application (CASA) to evaluate coverage levels and vaccine service delivery. Professional education and training Coordinate live and satellite continuing medical education programs. Provide inservices and trainings in DHS and private provider sites. Monitor DHS and contract agency immunization practices through Quality Assurance Reviews (QAR) and CASA. Conduct office visits and modified QAR and CASA at VFC provider sites. Distribute ACIP recommendations and State and local practice policies and guidelines to all immunization providers through direct mail and the Immunization Program quarterly newsletter. Community outreach and education Develop, implement, and/or participate in countywide promotional activities during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) and Toddler Immunization Month (TIM). Conduct focused immunization marketing and promotion campaigns using billboards, wall displays, bus posters, radio, television, and other media venues. Identify and/or develop culturally and linguistically appropriate immunization education materials. Provide targeted community outreach and education in communities with the lowest immunization coverage levels. Establish and/or maintain partnerships with child health advocates and organizations Contract with WIC agencies to conduct immunization assessment and referral with WIC clients. Collaborate with DPSS to conduct immunization assessment and referral with CalWORKs recipients. Vaccine management and distribution Manage County VFC program which provides free vaccine to public and non-profit health care providers including DHS, community and free clinics, schools and universities, and Head Start centers, among others. Provide vaccine distribution, inventory, ordering, handling, and storage. Assuring delivery of immunization services Assure free walk-in immunization services in DHS facilities. Maintain participation of over 1,000 VFC providers countywide who provide free or low-cost immunization services. Contract with non-profit community health centers to provide free immunization services. Immunization registry development Design, implement, and administer a computerized immunization registry and tracking system that is accessible to public and private health care providers. Health services research Initiate and/or participate in research designed to 1) improve immunization practice, 2) improve access to immunization services, 3) identify under-immunized communities and populations, 4) determine effective interventions, and 5) estimate vaccination coverage. Immunization Roundtable Countywide coalition for immunization outreach efforts. Collaboration of over 60 public and private sector agencies. Other special projects Promotoras de Vacunacion - Provide immunization education, referral, and case management using community members as lay health promoters.
Goals	Increase to 80% the proportion of children completely vaccinated at 24 months of age with the series of 4 DTP, 3 polio, 1 MMR, and 3 Hib Increase to 70% the proportion of children vaccinated at 24 months of age with the series of 3 hepatitis B Maintain the zero incidence of indigenous wild polio and diphtheria Maintain the incidence rates of indigenous measles, rubella, and tetanus at less than 0.5/100,000 Decrease the incidence rate of pertussis to less than 1.0/100,000 Decrease the incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b to less than 0.5/100,000