Strengthening Vaccine-Preventable Disease Prevention and Response - Montana - The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is in the state capitol of Helena, Montana. The Montana Immunization Program is within Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Bureau within the Public Health and Safety Division (PHSD) in DPHHS. PHSD is a Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) Accredited Health Department. The Montana Immunization Program’s mission statement is to prevent vaccine preventable disease among all residents throughout their life span by sharing information, managing data, providing education, giving guidance, and overseeing distribution of publicly-funding vaccines. This funding opportunity will enable the Montana Immunization Program to continue our mission and support our vision for healthy Montana children, adolescents, and adults that are free of vaccine-preventable diseases. The Montana Immunization Program supports the purchase and distribution of publicly funded vaccine each budget year. Because the VFC program is need based, strong accountability and program stewardship are essential. Assessing program performance is a necessary organizational practice that requires use of multiple evidence-based data sources. The Montana Immunization Program will use these data sources to implement strategies and required activities with our partners to ensure ongoing program improvement and the implementation of evidence-based practices to improve provider practice and raise immunization coverage rates. Through our providers and partners, we will engage in quality improvement activities aimed at building capacity and confidence in approaching immunization recommendations and communications. We will leverage our immunization information system (IIS) to create coverage assessment standards that lead to targeted interventions in identified populations. We will maintain our valuable relationships with partners throughout the state and create new opportunities for creative partnerships.
