Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to increase adolescent vaccination rates for Tdap, MenACWY, and HPV vaccines; in the adolescent population, ages 11-17 years, in two clinics in rural Iowa.|Background: Adolescents provide a difficult challenge with vaccinations as this age group is often overlooked, and rates are lower due to missed opportunities. Adolescents are at high risk for contracting meningococcal, pertussis, and HPV diseases due to close encounters. In 2017, Iowa’s requires two meningococcal (ACWY) vaccines given for school entry. Disease prevention and low vaccination rates for this age group encourage further studies to evaluate barriers. Iowa’s new school requirements provide an opportunity to bundle all adolescent vaccines to increase the required and recommended vaccine rates.|Methods: Adolescent vaccination rates for site one and site two were obtained through Iowa’s Immunization Registry Information System (IRIS) on September 25, 2018, pre-implementation and then obtained December 22, 2018, post-implementation to assess the effectiveness of the project. Utilized a multifaceted approach to align all staff on the importance of adolescent vaccinations, educated all healthcare employees on current adolescent vaccination recommendations, and implemented adolescent standing orders protocol to improve Wayne County’s immunization rates. Created an immunization binder to allow easy accessibility for an all-inclusive immunization guide for increased use of standing orders.|Results: During the project pilot period, site one was successful at increasing their adolescent vaccination rates: Tdap- 13%, MenACWY- 10%, HPV (1 dose)- 10%, and HPV completed- 10%. Site two: Tdap- Maintained at 96%, MenACWY- 3%, HPV (1 dose)- Maintained at 73%, and HPV completed- 1%.