Fort Kent ~ According to an article in the August 28, 2015 Portland Press Herald, “Part of the reason some parents have become worried about vaccines is because of a study from 1998 – which has since been debunked – that claimed there was a link between autism and vaccines. The study was retracted and thousands of subsequent research papers have disproved any connection.” The state of Maine has taken steps in the past year to educate the public and raise awareness about the value and safety of childhood immunizations. These efforts have contributed to Maine’s high ranking in childhood vaccination successes.
On October 12, 2015, Northern Maine Medical Center’s (NMMC) Fort Kent Family Practice office received a site visit from the Maine Immunization Program. The purpose for the visit was to conduct a Vaccines For Children (VFC) Provider Compliance Site Visit, which is one such method used by the state of Maine in support of vaccination awareness and compliance. During the visit, MIP staff evaluated the medical practice’s compliance with the VFC program requirements, including: appropriate vaccine handling, storage and ordering procedures, proper documentation of children’s VFC eligibility status, compliance with documentation and record retention requirements and compliance with other administrative program requirements.
According to Shawn K. Peterson, Public Health Educator for the Maine Immunization Program, the NMMC physician practice was reported to be in full compliance with all VFC requirements. Louise Bourgoin, RN, Clinical Coordinator for NMMC’s Medical Practices said, “Our staff understands the importance of taking the time to educate parents about the benefits of childhood immunizations.” She also said the time and attention given to maintaining vaccine safety and raising awareness about the importance of vaccination has contributed to improved compliance to vaccination standards and ultimately the health and safety of children.
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