In 2000, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) produced a report Calling the Shots: Immunization Finance Policies and Practices (IOM, 2000a) that illustrated the uncertainties and instability of the public health infrastructure that supports U.S. immunization programs. The IOM report proposed several strategies to address these concerns and to strengthen the immunization infrastructure. In March 2002, a group of 50 health officials, public health experts, health care providers, health plan representatives, health care purchasers, and community leaders met at The National Academies in Washington, DC to explore the implications of the IOM findings and recommendations for the federal and state governments. Private health plans and business sector representatives also participated in the meeting to discuss their role in fostering high levels of immunization coverage. The one-day workshop was the fourth and last in a series of meetings organized by IOM with support from the CDC to foster informed discussions about future financing strategies for immunization and the public health infrastructure. This report of the Washington, DC workshop summarizes the findings of the IOM study, reviews the implementation of the IOM recommendations, and highlights continuing immunization finance challenges for the nation as a whole as well as state and local health departments.


Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
Introduction
A National Perspective on the Immunization System
Building the Immunization Infrastructure
Private-Sector Roles in the National Immunization Partnership
Unresolved Problems and Future Challenges
Final Observations
References
Appendix A: Workshop Agenda
Appendix B: List of Workshop Participants
Appendix C: Website Referrals