At least 90% of patients are up to date with their immunizations
Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, in honor of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) recognized St. Johnsbury Pediatrics of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) for their high immunization rates. The rates that have met the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Healthy People 2020 goal of reducing preventable infectious diseases by increasing immunization rates.
This is the second consecutive year that St. Johnsbury Pediatrics has been recognized by the VDH for its work. St. Johnsbury Pediatrics is one of twenty-five primary care practices statewide being recognized for their 2018 vaccination efforts to help protect children and teens against disease. The Department of Health follows the immunization percentages of practices throughout the state on a monthly basis. If a practice needs to raise their immunization rates, they can do an improvement project.
Debra Bach of the Vermont Department of Health presents a certificate of recognition to NVRH St. Johnsbury Pediatrics for their high immunization rates on Wednesday, May 1. (Photo/Kathryn Moritz)
“This particular practice has a hard time picking improvement projects because their numbers are so high,” Debra Bach of the Vermont Department of Health said.
The percentages of patients between the ages of two and three who received a particular vaccine ranged from 91‒ 96%. Vaccinations help protect both people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated from the risk of disease. Small children who are too young to be vaccinated are especially vulnerable, as are individuals with a weakened immune system.
“Everyone in healthcare – from administrative staff to nurses and care coordinators – can play a role in boosting immunization rates,” St. Johnsbury Pediatrics’ Pediatrician Joshua Kantrowitz, MD said. In addition to being a member of this collaborative team, Dr. Kantrowitz is also the Vermont recipient of this year’s CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award. The Champion Award is intended to recognize individuals who are working at the local level promoting childhood immunization among children age two and under.
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital is located in St. Johnsbury in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. We are a community, not-for-profit, acute care, critical access hospital. NVRH is one of two Vermont hospitals designated as a Baby FriendlyTM hospital by the United Nations. The organization provides primary and preventive care, surgical and specialty services, inpatient and outpatient care and 24-hour, physician-staffed emergency services. NVRH serves more than 30,000 people in the Caledonia and Southern Essex Counties in Vermont and employs 600.
Source: ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (Wednesday, May 1, 2019) – VDH. Learn more about vaccines and immunization by visiting www.healthvermont.gov.