Fact sheet: immunization in Georgia, No. 33 (Feb. 2008)

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 2006 National Immunization Survey, 88% of Georgia's twoyear-olds were adequately immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough; 94% against polio; 91% against measles, mumps, and rubella; 94% against Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib disease); 95% against hepatitis B; 93% against varicella (chicken pox); and 82% 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), two doses of hepatitis A (HAV), and two or more doses of influenza vaccine.
The population-based study conducted in Georgia in 2006 showed that most childhood immunizations (80%) were administered in the private sector, while county health departments immunized 12%, and the sources for 8% were unknown.
All children entering school or childcare 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), pneumococcal disease (if under 5 years of age), hepatitis A (if born on or after 1/1/06), and varicella (chickenpox).
In addition, children who are entering 6th grade are required to show 1) proof of protection against measles and mumps (two doses of each 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 (dates reflecting two doses of vaccine, 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.

Immunization in Georgia
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The Resources
The Georgia Vaccines for Children Program (VFC), which began in October 1994, is coordinated by the Georgia Immunization Section. 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 2007, 250 public health clinics in Georgia and 2879 private physicians at 976 locations participate.
During 2007 the VFC Program supplied 943,163 doses of vaccine to public health clinics in Georgia's 250 clinic sites and 2,638,431 doses of vaccine to other providers (including hospitals and private physicians).
Public Health's budget for vaccines included $9.98 million in legislatively appropriated state funds in fiscal year 2008 and another $60.2 million in federal immunization grant funds for calendar year 2007.
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 underimmunization, 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 December 2007, the registry team had created partnerships with over 15,428 public health and private providers of vaccines. With the help of these partners, the registry has over 69 million immunization transactions and 6.7 million clients, both children and adults, being managed in the database.
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 Section, 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 February 2008
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