An Evidence-Based Project Demonstrating Increased School Immunization Compliance Following a School Nurse–Initiated Vaccine Compliance Strategy

Abstract

During the 2012–2013 school year, only 66% of students at a Northern Indiana High School were in compliance with school immunization requirements. We report here successful implementation of evidence-based, time, and cost-effective methods aimed at increasing school immunization compliance. A three-stage strategy initiated by the school nurse was employed. In the first stage, letters were sent home with students, indicating the lack of compliance with school immunization laws. The next stage involved a second letter sent home with the student which contained immunization information from the Indiana State Department of Health, appointment information, and a copy of the student’s immunization record. In the final stage, letters were sent home via e-mail and phone calls were used for follow-up. At each stage, students and parents were given an explanation of exclusion and a date when exclusion would apply. Postintervention, vaccine compliance was 99.6%, exceeding both national and state averages.