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The impact of WIC and AFDC in screening and delivering childhood immunizations
G S Birkhead1, H G Cicirello, J Talarico
1Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, New York State Department of Health, USA.
Insights
Children in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) programs show low immunization rates. Interventions within these programs can successfully improve vaccination status.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) serve vulnerable populations.
- Children enrolled in these programs are potentially at increased risk for suboptimal immunization coverage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on immunization initiatives within WIC and AFDC programs.
- To assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving immunization status in these populations.
Main Methods:
- A literature review was conducted.
- Included were studies, conference abstracts, and program reports focused on immunization initiatives in WIC and AFDC settings.
Main Results:
- The available literature, though limited, suggests that children in WIC and AFDC programs have low immunization levels.
- Interventions implemented in these settings have demonstrated success in improving immunization status.
Conclusions:
- WIC and AFDC programs represent key settings for implementing strategies to enhance childhood immunization rates.
- Targeted measures within these programs are recommended to address low immunization status.
Abstract:
Two publicly funded programs, the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), serve large numbers of children who may be at risk for poor immunization status. A review of the literature as well as conference abstracts and program reports for studies of immunization initiatives carried out in these settings was conducted. Although the available literature is limited, it does indicate that children in these programs have low immunization levels and that interventions to improve their immunization status can be successful. Measures to improve immunization status should be implemented through WIC and AFDC.