Immunization: Trends and Challenges in Texas

This course covers trends that affect immunization rates and public health in Texas and how primary care providers can promote administration of vaccines according to the ACIP schedule.

Choose any section below to learn more.

Brief History
and Overview

Immunization Trends and Vaccine Hesitancy

Texas Law
and Resources

Strategies to Improve Vaccination Rates

Why It Matters

The work of immunization is never complete. Each new generation must be fully immunized to protect both individuals and society from vaccine-preventable disease. As a health-care provider, you have the opportunity to promote immunization as part of routine preventive care and to address parental concerns about vaccination with compassion, confidence and evidence.

Appendix and References

Resources for Health-Care Providers

Brown, A. (2019). Clear Answers and Smart Advice About Your Baby’s Shots. Immunization Action Coalition.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice. Recommended immunizations and schedules.

Immunize.org, formerly known as the Immunization Action Coalition, works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health care professionals and the public.

Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements, includes vaccine requirements for child-care facilities, grades K-12, and college entrance.

Texas Health Steps Periodicity Schedule for ages birth through 20 years.

Texas Vaccines for Children, a program of the Texas Department of State Health Services, provides vaccines to health-care providers to reduce barriers to immunizing eligible children ages birth through 18 years.
References Featured in Course

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Immunizations Overview.

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. (2023). Giving Vaccines a Boost.

Annual Reviews. (2017). Top Global Health Issues, World Health Organization.

Bernstein, H. H., Bocchini, J. A., & American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. (2017). Clinical Report: Practical Approaches to Optimize Adolescent Immunization. Pediatrics, 139(3), e20164187.

Bernstein, H. H., Bocchini, J. A., & American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. (2017). Clinical Report: The Need to Optimize Adolescent Immunization. Pediatrics, 139(3), e20164186.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Diseases You Almost Forgot About (Thanks to Vaccines).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months Among Children Born in 2017 and 2018 — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2018–2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 70(41);1435–1440.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Supplementary Materials. (2021). Supplementary Table 3. Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months Among Children Born in 2017 and 2018 — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2018–2020.

Texas Department of State Health Services, Immunization Unit. (2022). CDC National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) 2020, Texas.

Texas Department of State Health Services. (2022). Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Measles (Rubeola).

Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of State Health Services. (2022). 2022-2023 Immunization Requirements for Schools.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of State Health Services. (2022). 2021-2022 Texas Annual Report of Immunization Status of Students.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Healthy People 2030. (n.d.). Vaccination.