Childhood immunizations and the Vaccines for Children program
J. M. Lyznicki and R. C. Rinaldi
Division of Health Science, American Medical Association, Chicago, Ill.
The use of vaccines to prevent infectious diseases is a hallmark of modern
preventive medicine and public health. During this century, improvements in
immunization practices have dramatically reduced the number of reported
cases of potentially serious diseases such as diphtheria, measles, mumps,
pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, and tetanus. Yet, despite such
reductions, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases continue to occur.
Recent outbreaks of measles and pertussis, particularly in underimmunized
and unimmunized children, raise concern regarding the effectiveness of
existing childhood immunization practices. Such concern is stimulating
action from policymakers, physicians, and public health professionals to
improve childhood immunization programs in this country. This article
discusses one of these programs, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program,
which is part of a new federal initiative to improve childhood immunization
levels. Enlisting the support and participation of private physicians is
crucial to the success of this national immunization strategy.
