Purpose
The purpose of IQIP is to promote and support the implementation of provider-level strategies designed to help healthcare providers increase immunization among children aged 18 or younger.
Background
The strategies promoted by IQIP are backed by research and supported by the American Association of Family Physicians.1
The Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers (IQIP) program helps Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers increase immunization coverage among children and adolescents. IQIP uses a structured, data-driven approach to identify opportunities for improvement and strengthen immunization practices and build trust among parents and caregivers.
The program is based on the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, a proven quality improvement method that helps providers test and refine strategies to improve their processes.2 This approach has been shown to increase immunization coverage in pediatric populations.234
The role of public health professionals
Public health professionals help providers:
- Access expert support from public health consultants.
- Streamline workflows with best practices for vaccination delivery.
- Leverage data to identify missed opportunities and track progress.
- Increase immunization coverage for children and adolescents.
IQIP strategies
- Facilitate return for immunization
- Perform an immunization assessment at every visit
- Implement standing orders
- Leverage the immunization information system (IIS) or electronic health record (EHR)
- Implement best practice alerts
- Use reminders and recalls for patients due or overdue for immunizations
- Make a strong immunization recommendation
- Improve the quality of immunization recommendations
- Recognize and address caregiver concerns
- Strengthen immunization communications
- Share reliable immunization information
- Create a consistent, supportive approach to immunization
Provider investment
When participating in IQIP, providers will:
- Engage with an IQIP consultant in a 12-month quality improvement process.
- Review and refine clinic workflows.
- Collaborate with an IQIP consultant to review data.
- Dedicate staff time for meetings and implementation.
The IQIP process
IQIP is a 12-month process conducted over four consultations:
- Assess immunization workflow
- Review assessment reports
- Select QI strategies
- Receive technical assistance
- Establish action items for selected strategies
2-Month and 6-Month Check-Ins
- Review progress toward strategy implementation
- Review coverage (6-month check-in only)
- Receive technical assistance
- Establish new action items
12-Month Follow-Up
- Receive technical assistance
- Review year-over-year coverage
Strategies work best together
Combining interventions leads to the greatest improvements in immunization coverage.45 IQIP requires providers to select at least two strategies to strengthen both operations and communication.
More evidence-based IQIP resources:
Benefits of IQIP
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/iqip/media/images/2026/09/Birthing-Hospital-Final-thumb.png)
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/iqip/media/images/2026/09/HCP-benefits-one-pager-final-thumb.png)
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/iqip/media/images/2026/09/HCP-benefits-two-sided-Final-thumb.png)
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](/iqip/media/images/2026/09/Scientific-Brief-long-Final-thumb.png)
Interested in participating in IQIP?
- Contact your jurisdiction's immunization program: Awardee Immunization Websites
- If you have questions or need support, email us at IQIP@cdc.gov
Resources
- CDC Recommended Immunization Schedules
- Immunization Strategies for Healthcare Practices and Providers
- Foster Support for Vaccination in Your Practice
- Immunization Information Systems (IIS)
- Immunization Education & Training
- Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
- HIPAA and Access to Patient Records during IQIP and VFC Visits Frequently Asked Questions
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.
- American Academy of Family Physicians. (n.d.). How to approach conversations with parents about routine pediatric vaccinations. https://www.aafp.org/assets/image/upload/v1775259021/Migrated%20-%20AEM%20DAM/AAFP/documents/patient_care/immunizations/approach-vaccine-20conversations-pdf.pdf
- Stetson, R. C., Fang, J. L., Colby, C. E., & Jacobson, R. M. (2019). Improving infant vaccination status in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Pediatrics, 144(5), e20190337
- Bowden, M., Yaun, J., & Bagga, B. (2017). Improving human papilloma virus vaccination rates: Quality improvement. Pediatric Quality & Safety, 2(6), e048
- Cataldi, J. R., Kerns, M. E., & O'Leary, S. T. (2020). Evidence-based strategies to increase vaccination uptake: A review. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 32(1), 151–159. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000843
- Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2015, September 2). Vaccination programs: Health care system-based interventions implemented in combination. https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/vaccination-programs-health-care-system-based-interventions-implemented-combination.html