The United Way
Immunization Initiative

Several years ago, United Way learned that Chicago's Austin community had among the lowest MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunization rates in the city. Only 20% of kids 35 months and older had received the MMR vaccine, which is recommended for all kids by the time they reach 12 months of age. As a result, hundreds of children were at risk of acquiring entirely preventable diseases, sometimes with devastating consequences.

United Way launched its Immunization Initiative to combat the issue. Because licensed daycare facilities require all kids to be immunized prior to enrollment, United Way focused its efforts on providing non-licensed, home-based daycare providers with tools for monitoring immunizations and educating parents.

"The Austin Immunization Initiative has been so effective..and has such an exponential impact, that it has been recognized as a replicable model for public health intervention to increase the immunization rates in children."
—Dr. Joseph F. West, Epidemiologist, President, Westwell Group

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In partnership with Bank of America and several community-based child development organizations, United Way began hosting large-group and even in-home training at which home-based daycare providers learn what shots are needed when, receive materials for tracking/documenting each child's immunizations, and learn how to train parents and other daycare providers in their community. Because the initiative takes a 'train the trainer' approach, it is quickly becoming self-sustaining in Austin.

Throughout 2006, our Community Leaders Committee (a diverse group of United Way volunteers comprised of daycare providers, child development experts and concerned community members) held a series of intensive working sessions to evaluate the Initiative's progress and develop a Plan of Action for advancing their work. In addition to expanding outreach efforts to faith-based communities and Chicago Public Schools, perhaps the most exciting next step involves replicating the initiative this year in Chicago's Humbolt Park community.

This innovative program was recently featured at the National Immunization Conference and has been recognized at both state and national levels as a replicable model for public health intervention.

 
A Young Girl