Issues of particular importance are accountability for delivery of immunization services, improving and protecting public health resources for providing immunization services, and effective collaboration between public and private providers. Although the report focuses on nonfinancial factors affecting immunization, it also covers important economic issues that were discussed at the workshop. The committee's special concern is those issues that require the attention of state- level decisionmakers, including government officials, public health officials, and leadership in the health professions. The committee's assessments rest on several assumptions about immunization and immunization services. First, all children in the United States should receive the recommended and medically appropriate immunizations at the recommended times to protect their own health and that of the community.
Immunization is one of the safest and most cost-effective means of preventing illness.
Third, immunization can best be seen as part of comprehensive primary care. Finally, the United States cannot wait for health care reform to address its immunization problems. No one can be certain when health care reform measures will take effect or what their final form will be. In the meantime, of the more than 4 million children born each year, about 1 million join the pool of underimmunized preschool children who remain susceptible to serious illness. Leadership No easily delineated system of primary care exists.