II. Objectives
1. To improve the STFM GIE immunization website www.immunizationED.org so that information stays current on immunization issues and how to utilize handheld computers and other devices to keep up to date in this arena. Additionally, simulated cases will be forthcoming on the website hopefully with the possibility of downloading these cases to handheld computers. Plans include both auditory and visual prompts for future use on the website.

2. An update in “Shots 2003” to create a new program “Shots 2004” that will include smallpox vaccine. Additionally, work will begun on vaccine safety that will be incorporated into “Shots 2005”.

3. To continue to publish articles related to immunization issues. Ultimately during the year work will be done on updating the supplement “ Vaccines Across the Lifespan 2003” to eventually publish a version in 2005.

4. Continue to give both national and regional lectures on various topics in immunization. Dr. Zimmerman gives an annual update to the Annual Refresher Course in Family Practice in Pittsburgh and is also a lecturer at the annual AAFP Scientific Convention. Dr. Middleton is Director of the AAFP Course on Infant, Child and Adolescent Medicine and along with Dr. Thomas Irons will provide a lecture on immunizations at the course this year.

5. Continue to attend regional and national events related to the field of immunizations. Ms. Judy Troy will attend the National Immunization Conference in Nashville, TN. Ms. Troy and Dr. Zimmerman will be giving a lecture on immunization related topics at the Northeast Regional Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Program to be held in Pittsburgh, PA.

6. Promote methods to seek increase immunization tracking and recall procedures in the office and to incorporate these practices into community practice. Emphasis will be placed on how to improve immunization rates by eliminating missed opportunities to immunize. Particularly important in this arena is a program to enhance vaccination of hospitalized individuals for both pneumococcal and influenza vaccines. Many hospitals nationwide are now using this approach to vaccinate their cliental efforts to incorporate these procedures into a hospital network on underway.

7. Teach family physicians, family practice residents, family practice fellows, and medical students how to communicate vaccine benefits and risks to their patients and families.

8. Broadcast the work of the GIE so that more local experts will be available to train residents, medical students, and local practicing physicians.

A steering committee of the Group on Immunization Education will continue to communicate primarily by phone during monthly conferences and through periodic email. Efforts to incorporate the vaccine producers are underway. A meeting in September 2003 between all four vaccine producers and the steering committee of the GIE was highly successful. The GIE will outline its program for the forthcoming year to the vaccine manufacturers who will hopefully be a position to provide educational support. Dr. Middleton is particularly active in this arena having established contacts at both Merck and Wyeth to improve the materials available for family physicians in the arena of vaccination. The GIE is actively recruiting other members to its committee and recently Dr. Jeffrey Susman has become a liaison to our group. We look forward to his input in improving our educational information. Lastly, plans are underway to combat antivaccination information that is currently available through the web. We have made contact with Dr. Robert Wolfe to ask him to join in our telephone meetings to give us further insight into this latter issue.

Respectfully submitted,