Vaccines for Children: Reexamination of Program Goals and Implementation Needed to Ensure Vaccination
PEMD-95-22
Published: Jun 15, 1995. Publicly Released: Jun 15, 1995.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed vaccine delivery to children, focusing on: (1) implementation of the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program; (2) evidence that vaccine cost has prevented children from being immunized on time; and (3) options for improving vaccine delivery.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress may wish to consider refocusing VFC's goal from the improvement of general immunization rates to the achievement of higher immunization rates in pockets of need, where conditions are ripe for disease outbreaks among underimmunized children. |
Closed – Implemented
|
House and Senate bills call for the discontinuation of the program. |
| In conjunction, Congress may wish to adjust enrollment, accountability, automation, and evaluation efforts to focus on children who are at greatest risk for delayed immunization. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
No action has been taken. |
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Topics
Childhood vaccinesChildrenDisadvantaged personsHealth care cost controlHealth surveysImmunization programsImmunization servicesInfectious diseasesMedicaidPreschoolersState-administered programsVaccination