Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers (IQIP) Program

IQIP is the Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider-level quality improvement (QI) program designed to help increase on-time vaccination of children and adolescents.  If you are a California VFC provider, you may receive an IQIP visit and be asked to pick 2 quality improvement strategies to conduct in your clinic.  IQIP replaces the Assessment Feedback Incentive eXchange (AFIX) program.  Similar to AFIX, participating in the IQIP program entails at least one in-person visit by your VFC or Field Representative and additional exchanges via phone or email over a 12-month period. 

VFC and Field Representatives provide technical assistance to VFC providers to support four core quality improvement strategies.  Under each strategy are a list of resources to support IQIP efforts.

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1. Schedule the next immunization visit before the patient leaves the office.  Communicates importance of returning for subsequent doses.

• Suggestions to Improve Immunization Services (Immunization Action Coalition)
• CAIR2: Reminder/recall (CDPH)
• Vaccination catch-up resources: Catch-up on Well-child Visits and Recommended Vaccinations (CDC), Adolescent Immunization Toolkit (Association of Immunization Managers), COVID-19 Vaccine Coadministration Tips (CDPH)

2. Leverage immunization registry functionality to support immunization practice.  Maximize IIS vaccination data to know which vaccines are due and when to administer them.

• Benefits of CAIR and Your Options for Joining (CDPH)
• Bi-directional Exchange: How It Works and How to Sign Up (CDPH)
• Ensure Your Clinic Submits Quality Data to CAIR (CDPH)
• CAIR2: Manage Patient Status (CDPH)
• CAIR2: Reminder/recall (CDPH)

3. Give a strong vaccine recommendation.  Centers on parent/provider discussion.  Apply strategy to all childhood vaccinations, including HPV.

• If you Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child, Understand the Risks and Responsibilities (CDC)
• Talking to Parents about Infant Vaccination (CDC)
• Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants (CDC)
• Don’t Wait to Vaccinate Against HPV (American Cancer Society)
• Talking to Parents about HPV Vaccination (CDC)
• Crucial COVID-19 Conversations webinar series (CDPH)

4. Strengthen vaccination communications.  Focuses on practice-wide promotion of the importance of on-time vaccination.  Includes dispelling myths, supporting positive vaccine messaging, and increasing parent confidence in vaccinations.

• Vaccine education materials (CDPH)
• Vaccine education materials in Spanish (CDC)
• Growing Up With Vaccines: What Should Parents Know (CDC)
• Vaccine Safety: Answers to Parents’ Top Questions | Spanish (CDPH)
• Tips and Tools for Improving HPV Vaccination (CDPH)
• How Important is HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens | Spanish | Russian (CDPH)
• COVID-19 vaccine patient education resources (CDPH)
• Recommending COVID-19 Vaccination: Talking Points (CDPH)
• Sample Vaccine Policy Statement
• Record of Declination in the Medical Record (Immunization Action Coalition)

Questions about the IQIP program? Contact the VFC Field Representative in your area.

VFC Immunization Awardees