The purpose of this educational activity is to increase the competence of medical providers with ACIP guidelines for childhood immunizations and immunization requirements per Iowa law as a way to be better advocates for children to be fully immunized.  This educational activity will also help medical providers better assess where potential disease risks are within their respective patient populations.

The area of immunizations is ever changing. Due to this, it can be difficult to communicate the changes and maintain consistency among those who are required to have the information. In the State of Iowa what is required for school entry, is different than the recommendations set forth by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP.)  In Polk County we have a significant number of Refugees, Immigrants, and Exchange students from all over the world.  The majorities of these students are lacking various immunizations, and by law are required to be up to date as quickly as medically feasible. In order to catch these students up, they are to be placed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Catch-up Schedule. 

Target Audience

The target audience is nurses, physicians, and mid level providers who evaluate child immunization records to determine compliance of immunizations with Iowa law and ACIP guidelines. 

What clinical problems or opportunities for improvement will the activity address?

• Review of the ACIP guidelines
• Review of the Iowa law on immunizations
• CDC approved minimum spacing of immunizations
• Iowa Department of Public Health instructions on filling out a provisional certificate
• Iowa Department of Public Health instructions for valid medical and religious exemptions
• Iowa law regarding exclusion of a student due to invalid certificates and/or exemptions

Agenda

Objectives

1. Know what the ACIP immunization guidelines are for children
2. Discuss Iowa law’s on required vaccines for school aged children
3. Verbalize understanding of proper spacing of vaccines (Hepatitis B vaccines and Polio)
4. Describe how to correctly fill out a provisional
5. Describe what an exemption is (medical vs. religious) and how to correctly fill out a exemption 
6. Discuss where potential disease risks are within your respective patient populations

Speakers

• Susan Brooks, RN, BSN
  Health Services Coordinator, Polk County Health Department, Des Moines, IA
• Leah Gabriel, ARNP, FNP-BC
  Nurse Practitioner, Polk County Health Department, Des Moines, IA

Continuing Education Credit

• Nursing: Des Moines University is Iowa Board of Nursing approved provider #112. This live activity has been reviewed and approved for 1.8 continuing education contact hour(s). No partial credit awarded.

Everyone in a position to control the content of this educational activity will disclose to the CME provider and to attendees all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. Des Moines University (DMU) prohibits discrimination in a person’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information and other characteristics protected by law (“protected class”). The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend DMU sponsored activities. You are able to access DMUs legal information here. If you have questions/concerns, please contact the DMU CME office at 515-271-1596 or cme@dmu.edu.