Experiences Supporting Local Health Departments to Increase Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates.

Abstract

I n the fall of 2014, the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) launched a project to support a subset of local health departments to engage and collaborate with health care providers and other key stakeholders to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in their communities. This project, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is one component of NACCHO’s immunization program. NACCHO’s immunization program is dedicated to strengthening local health departments’ immunization infrastructure by working to increase their capacity to implement evidence-based public health programs, policies, and services to meet national standards for preventing and controlling vaccine-preventable diseases. NACCHO is the voice of the 2800 local health departments in the United States that work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. NACCHO provides resources to help local health departments develop public health policies and programs to ensure that communities have access to the vital services people need to keep them protected from disease and disaster. Local health departments play a pivotal role in maintaining high levels of community immunization rates, acting as leaders in their communities and strengthening their networks through partnerships with state immunization programs, coalitions, and the immunization neighborhood. According to the 2013 National Profile of Local Health Departments, 90% of local health departments provide direct immunization services. In addition, local health department immunization programs deliver provider education, outreach campaigns, and vaccine-preventable disease outbreak