Immunization

Immunizations are the single most important way to protect your family against serious and sometimes deadly diseases.

The Immunization Program, in the Health Care Access Bureau, helps reduce the spread of vaccine preventable diseases to residents, visitors, and those working or doing business in the District. This is accomplished through education, prevention, vaccine coverage monitoring, and engagement with healthcare providers. The Immunization Program addresses immunization needs across the lifespan by focusing on five key areas: the Vaccines For Children Program, the District’s Immunization Information System (DOCIIS), Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention, Adult Immunization, and Clinical Education.

The Vaccines for Children Program provides qualifying health care practices with free vaccines for persons under the age of 19 who are eligible for Medicaid, uninsured, or underinsured. The VFC Program oversees providers’ vaccine management, compliance, performance, and quality improvement activities to ensure safe and effective vaccine administration to patients.

The District of Columbia Immunization Information System (DOCIIS) provides real-time immunization data across the lifespan through health information exchange. DOCIIS provides access to immunization data to a range of stakeholders including: health care providers, health care payers, pharmacies, schools, and licensed child development centers.