Strengthening vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response - project description: utah has a very distinctive demographic profile

The population is younger (30.7%, 17 and under), lives longer, had 50,486 births in 2016, a birth rate that is 50% higher than the U.S., and has more persons per household than the nation. IT is the 6TH fastest growing state - projected to climb about 3.5 million by 2020. The majority of the population resides in 4 of 29 counties along the wasatch front making IT the 6TH most urban state. Utah also encompasses 82,168 square miles making IT the 11TH largest state having vast rural and frontier designated areas. Racial classification is: 81.1% caucasian, 2.7%asian; 1.1% pacific islander, 1.9% american indian and 1.8% african american with hispanic/non-hispanic ethnicity. (2010 utah's indicator-based information system for public health) based on this, the utah immunization program (UIP), utah department of health, with partners and stakeholders must work with the opportunities and challenges these demographic characteristics present for immunizations - balancing planning for the future to address the needs/issues of all target risk groups. The unique factors impact: immunization messages, service and access for residents across the lifespan, development of strategies and activities to reach all segments of the population, partnerships and coalitions - all the while supporting the UIP mission of reducing vaccine preventable disease and deaths and helping assure increased immunization coverage levels across the lifespan. Project component highlights: utah has in the past experienced some of the nation's lowest immunization coverage levels for children 19-35 months of age. Various improvement strategies implemented include: vaccines for children (VFC) program expansion; adult state immunization coalition and regional child and lifespan coalitions; media campaign; expanded enrollment and enhancements in utah statewide immunization information system (USIIS) and partnership for provider quality assurance with the AAP. Emphasis on immunization by udoh leadership have increased awareness and improved immunization levels among two-year-olds. National childhood immunization coverage levels in 2016 revealed that 70.7% of the nation's two-year-old children received the 4:3:1:3:3:1:4 series compared to 72.2% of utah's children. To improve immunization levels and awareness across the lifespan, UIP put resources behind adolescent, adult and ethnic outreach program components. Strategies include: utah adult immunization coalition; media messaging and community/provider education; development of adolescent strategies; implementation 7TH grade school requirements; supported HCW and school/daycare employee vaccination recommendations. Utah implemented a rule requiring long term care reporting for influenza, pneumococcal, and health care worker coverage. Behavioral risk factor surveillance survey (BRFSS) reveals influenza vaccine coverage for non-institutionalized adults 65 years and older in 2012 was 75.3% (national, 60.1%). Pneumococcal vaccine coverage for non-institutionalized adults 65 years and older in 2012 was 68.3% (national, 68.1% (NHIS)). UIP also supports pandemic preparedness efforts. Project statement of objectives and methods to be employed: UIP grant application has five year goals and target measures based on healthy people 2020 with supporting objectives/activities addressing all requirement areas (enhancing stewardship and accountability for VFC, assess program performance, access to vaccines, IIS, and preparedness). IT covers all required and many suggested activities in the program operations manual.