A model immunization demonstration for preschoolers in an inner-city barrio, San Diego, California, 1992-1994

An immunization demonstration project was conducted in an inner-city Latino neighborhood in San Diego to address underimmunization of children of preschool age. The project attempted interventions on consumer, provider, and system levels to reduce barriers to immunization and raise immunization rates. Free walk-in immunization clinics with emphasis on cultural sensitivity and that incorporated computerized reminder/recall were established. An educational series was offered to community health center (CHC) providers, and extensive community-based outreach and education took place in schools, churches, a WIC site, etc. Evaluation activities included preintervention and postintervention provider knowledge, attitudes, and practice surveys, CHC chart audits, and household surveys in the intervention ZIP code area and a control ZIP code area. Immunization coverage for 4DPT, 3OPV, and 1MMR (4:3:1) among two-year-olds increased significantly from 37% to 50% overall, and to 59% in the 1991 birth cohort in the intervention area compared to a one percentage point overall increase in the control area. Coverage improved significantly and missed opportunities decreased in one intervention CHC that participated most actively in educational inservices. While the Year 2000 U.S. Public Health Service objective of 90% 4:3:1 coverage for two-year-olds was not achieved over the 21-month course of the project, the results approached the 1996 single-antigen objectives. This demonstration underscores the importance of multilevel interventions including low cost, no appointment, and culturally appropriate immunization services for the indigent; the use of computerized reminder systems; and provider assessment, education, and feedback in the effort to raise preschool immunization levels. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): immunization, preschool-age children, health promotion, provider education, immunization monitoring and follow-up systems, pediatric immunization standards, household surveys.