MPCA Presents 2006 Pediatric Immunization Awards to Missouri FQHCsDisease prevention is the key to public health. It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. In 2002, the Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) was awarded a contract from the MO Department of Health and Senior Services to monitor program compliance of all the Missouri Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) enrolled in the Vaccine For Children (VFC) program. The VFC program provides immunizations through participating providers, for children who are uninsured, Medicaid recipients, Native Americans, or Alaska Natives at their physician’s offices. In addition, children whose health insurance does not cover immunizations are eligible to receive VFC vaccines at participating FQHCs. Overall, the VFC program saves the federal and state governments hundreds of millions of dollars each year by providing vaccines purchased at a reduced price to enrolled providers. The federally funded VFC program began in October, 1994 with the goal of ensuring affordable vaccines for all eligible children. Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases and save lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s goal is to achieve immunization rates of 90%, nationwide. Thus, it was determined the FQHCs should receive recognition for those who have achieved immunization rates of 90% and above. An award was presented to the health center’s staff involved in pediatric immunizations for their dedication to improving the health of Missouri’s children by preventing vaccine-preventable diseases through immunizations.
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