Childhood and Adolescent Vaccination in Alternative Settings

Abstract

Although pediatric and adolescent vaccination rates are generally high in the United States, delayed and under-vaccination exist within certain patient populations and communities, leaving them vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. One strategy for addressing this major public health concern is to offer vaccinations in nonprimary care settings such as schools, emergency rooms, hospitals, and pharmacies. This article reviews the unique advantages, challenges, and experiences regarding vaccine delivery in each alternative setting. It describes the key components that each must possess as well as other important factors to consider when assessing the ability of each to deliver vaccines to the children and adolescents they serve. It also highlights the need for sufficient funding and reimbursement for vaccine-related costs in these settings, the importance of orienting staff, providers, and practices to offering preventive care services through education and evidenced-based approaches, and the necessity of effective, efficient coordination of vaccination efforts across sites. By expanding the scope of non-primary care settings to include vaccine delivery and striving to capture all vaccination opportunities in these locations, the proportion of children and adolescents receiving on-time doses will undoubtedly increase. It is important to emphasize that these settings should not replace the medical home as the primary location for vaccination, but rather serve as a critical safety net for high-risk individuals and communities and in situations where access to traditional locations may be limited such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: adolescents; alternative settings; children; immunization; vaccination.