One of nine practices in Vermont to exceed state’s target of immunization coverage
Joseph Pelletier MD, Jan Eberly RN, Christina DiNicola MD, Dani Sweet RN, Laudell Slack LPN, Ellen Bando PA-C, Danielle Davis RN, Amanda Belanger (Not pictured Desiree Bourassa RN, Courtney Riley MD, and Kathy Alves)
On April 26, 2017, Gifford Health Care Pediatrics was recognized by the Vermont Immunization Program for achieving high immunization coverage rates and meeting CDC’s Healthy People 2020 goals for all recommended vaccines for children two to three years of age.
Jan Eberly, Public Health Nurse for the State of Vermont, presented the Pediatrics team with a framed certificate and a copy of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
Gifford was one of nine practices in the state to receive recognition for exceeding the Healthy People 2020 target of 90 percent immunizations coverage for two to three year olds. Appropriately, the recognition came on National Infant Immunization week, an annual national observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and improve the health of children two years old or younger.
“To find a practice where everyone participates—from the providers down through the staff—is really remarkable!” Eberly said. “Congratulations to all of you!”
Led by Pediatrics Nurse Manager and Registered Nurse Danielle Davis, the team developed and incorporated new systems into their workflow to track and make sure that every child is up-to-date on immunizations. Starting with the chart preparation that occurs before every patient visit, they check to see if immunizations, well child visits, and asthma care action plans are all current. If not, the chart is flagged so providers can give any needed immunizations during the visit, and follow-up appointments can be scheduled automatically.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes that vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective tools available for preventing disease and death. They help protect vaccinated individuals and also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Among children born during 1994-2016,
