Immunization Program - Public Health Region 6/5 South
Brian Gfroerer
Immunization Program Manager
Purpose
The purpose of the Immunization Program is to:
- Prevent and control vaccine-preventable diseases,
- Provide and administer vaccines,
- Promote age-appropriate vaccination of all Texans,
- Conduct disease surveillance activities; assess vaccine coverage levels, and
- Establish partnerships and collaborations with public and private participants who share the common vision of community well-being to improve the quality and longevity of the people in Region 6/5S.
Immunization Program Jurisdiction-Level Coverage, PHR 6/5s
Program Overview
- The Texas Vaccine for Children (TVFC) and Adult Safety Net (ASN) programs provide vaccines free of charge to eligible patients.
- Healthcare providers can enroll in the TVFC program and qualified providers can enroll in the ASN program to receive vaccines.
- Regional Staff work with contracted Local Health Departments, DSHS Field Offices and approximately 600 providers to ensure that vaccines are stored appropriately and administrated only to eligible children.
- We provide training and education to TVFC/ASN providers with identification of inventory, accounting, errors, bi-annual contract, visits, quality assurance site visits and follow-ups.
- Work with schools and daycares to ensure children enrolled in those facilities meet minimum standards for attendance either through vaccination or obtaining an official vaccine exemption form.
- Provide access to immunization records for children and adults who consented to be in the Texas Immunization Registry (Immtrac2).
- Provide clients with official immunization history records if they were submitted in ImmTrac2.
- Create and manage school and children lists.
- Access to records, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Information for Parents | Texas DSHS
Activities
Recruiting and retaining providers for the Texas Vaccines for Children Program (TVFC)
The TVFC Program provides vaccines at no cost to providers so they can provide it them to eligible children at little or no cost. Providers include licensed Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathy, Nurse Practitioners, or Physician Assistants. Region 6/5S Immunization staff work to recruit providers to include school districts, emergency medical technicians, and pharmacists. Eligible children include uninsured or underinsured children, children who are covered by CHIP, Native American or Alaskan Native children, and children on Medicaid.
Promoting Age-appropriate Vaccinations for Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Visit the DSHS Information for Parents - Recommended Vaccine Schedules.
Promoting the effective use of the statewide immunization registry, ImmTrac2
ImmTrac2 is designed to consolidate immunization records from multiple sources throughout the state and offers many benefits to healthcare providers and their patients. Region 6/5S Immunization staff provide assistance for enrolling in ImmTrac2, education, and training on the use of the registry, or assisting in locating a shot record.
Providing immunization education to the public and medical providers
Region 6/5S Immunization Program provides education and educational materials to the public on the importance of vaccines, and vaccine-preventable diseases and promotes vaccines and immunizations during National Infant Immunization Week in April and National Immunization Awareness Month in August.
Public Health Region 6/5S Immunization Program provides education and training to providers on immunization recommendations and requirements, vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases and surveillance, vaccine storage and handling, vaccine inventory reporting, Texas Vaccines for Children program requirements, ImmTrac2, recall/reminder systems and minimum state vaccine requirements for children and students as well as information on CDC immunization training and conferences.
Access free immunization educational materials and literature.
Collaborating and partnering with others to improve vaccine coverage levels and promote immunization
Region 6/5S Immunization Program works with community and civic groups, schools, faith-based organizations, and other agencies to promote immunizations and provide immunization information and education to these groups and the public.
- School and Childcare Immunizations
- Information for Parents - Recommended Vaccine Schedules
- DSHS Immunization Section
Determining the vaccine coverage levels in Public Health Region 6-5 South
The Immunization Program determines the vaccine coverage levels in PHR 6/5S by conducting population assessments in childcare facilities, public and private schools, and counties using the Texas Country Retrospective Immunization School Survey (TCRISS). Assessments are also conducted at these facilities to ensure that they are compliant with Texas’s school and childcare vaccine requirements. View more information on these requirements.
Recommended Immunization Schedules
Foreign Travel Vaccines
Some vaccine-preventable diseases are more prevalent in many foreign countries. Depending on your destination, certain vaccines may be required before your departure. Some of these vaccines require more than one dose to provide full protection: it is important to consider the recommended intervals needed between doses well in advance of your departure date to ensure complete immunization. View additional information about which vaccines are required or recommended for foreign travel.
Additional Resources
Get in Touch
Phone
713-767-3410
Physical Address
Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Region 6/5S Headquarters
5425 Polk St. Suite 420
Houston, TX 77023
United States