Fact sheet: immunization in Georgia, No. 33 (Jan. 2006)

fact sheet

Georgia Department of Human Resources
IMMUNIZATION IN GEORGIA
The Facts
Georgia law requires all children entering school or daycare to show proof of immunization. However, children should begin to receive vaccinations as infants so they can be protected during the preschool years as well.
To prevent the occurrence and outbreaks of childhood vaccine preventable diseases, it is necessary to maintain immunization levels of 90 percent or higher. Public health clinics in Georgia monitor immunization levels in both public clinics and in the population as a whole. According to the 2004 National Immunization Survey, 88% of Georgia's two-year-olds were adequately immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough; 95% against polio; 92% against measles, mumps, and rubella; 94% against Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib disease); 95% against hepatitis B; 92% against varicella (chicken pox); and 68% against pneumococcal disease.
By two years of age, a child should have received four doses of vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP/DTaP), one for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), three or four for Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib disease), three for polio (IPV or OPV), three for hepatitis B (HBV), one dose of varicella for chickenpox, four doses of pneumococcal conjugate (PCV), and two or more doses of influenza vaccine.
The population-based study conducted in Georgia in 2004 showed that most childhood immunizations (70%) were administered in the private sector, while county health departments immunized 14%, and the sources for 16% were unknown.
All children entering school or daycare must be age-appropriately immunized with all the required vaccines. This includes protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (if under 7 years of age), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib disease) (if under 5 years of age), and varicella (chickenpox).
In addition, children who are entering 6th grade are required to show 1) proof of protection against measles (two doses given on or after the first birthday and at least four weeks apart or a positive serology) and 2) proof of protection against varicella or chickenpox (vaccination dates, positive serology, or a health care provider's interpretation of a parent's description of disease history).
People of all ages should have their immunization status reviewed on each visit to their health care provider and any vaccines that are currently routinely recommended should be administered if indicated.
The Resources
The Georgia Vaccines for Children Program (VFC), which began in October 1994, is coordinated by the Georgia Immunization Program. The Georgia VFC Program provides free vaccines to private and public providers for children birth through 18 years of age who are Medicaid-eligible, American Indian/Alaska Native, uninsured, and underinsured (children whose vaccinations are not covered by insurance). As of December 2004, 259 public health clinics in Georgia and 3,062 private physicians at 1,025 locations participate.

Immunization in Georgia
Page 2

During 2004, the VFC Program supplied 599,231 doses of vaccine to public health clinics in Georgia's 159 counties and 1,597,200 doses of vaccine to other providers (including hospitals and private physicians).
Public Health's budget for vaccines included $8.4 million in legislatively appropriated state funds in fiscal year 2004 and another $38.6 million in federal immunization grant funds for calendar year 2004.
Fees charged for immunizations vary, depending on ability to pay. For children who qualify for the VFC Program, private providers may charge an administration fee of up to $14.81 per injection. Medicaid and PeachCare reimburse providers for vaccinations given to Medicaid and PeachCare recipients. However, children should not be denied VFC vaccine due to the parent's inability to pay the administration fee.
To overcome barriers to vaccination, Georgia's public health departments remind parents when their children's vaccinations are due; offer extended clinic hours; give vaccinations on a walk-in basis; and distribute educational materials on immunization.
The Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) was introduced in May 2003. Among other benefits, the registry allows enrolled providers, both public and private, to input and access a child's complete immunization record. This will help to improve the health of Georgia's children, decrease over- and under-immunization, and give a better overall picture of the immunization status of all of Georgians. The benefits are beginning to be realized as the registry is used in population-based recalls for children who are behind schedule in receiving their shots.
As of September 2005, the registry team had created partnerships with over 2,814 public health and private providers of vaccines. With the help of these partners, the registry has over 44 million immunization transactions and 4.7 million clients being managed in the database. As of July 2004, the registry was expanded to include all ages from birth to death.
Adults need to be protected against vaccine preventable diseases too. Depending upon a person's immunization history, age and risk factors, vaccinations may be needed against diseases such as tetanus and diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella; hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease, influenza, and pneumococcal pneumonia. Both influenza and pneumococcal vaccine costs can be reimbursed by Medicare Part B. The best way for a person to insure that he is adequately protected is to consult with his health care provider and review his immunization record at least once a year.
For more information about the Georgia Immunization Program, call (404) 657-3158 or visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization/.
Georgia Department of Human Resources Office of Communications www.dhr.georgia.gov January 2006