A status report from 1996-2004: are more effective immunization interventions being used in the women, infants, and children (WIC) program?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) enrolls almost 50% of the US birth cohort and these children have significantly lower immunization coverage rates than their counterparts not eligible for WIC. In 1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USDA began a national initiative to increase immunization coverage in low-income children by incorporating immunization-promoting activities into WIC visits (WIC/Immunization linkages). Since 1998, CDC has monitored the WIC/Immunization linkages assessment and referral (with and without the more aggressive strategy of monthly voucher pick-up, client outreach and tracking and parental incentives) and three other immunization supporting activities (computerized systems to assess immunization status, collocation of WIC and immunization services, coordination of WIC and immunization services).