AAFP Mapping Tool Reveals Information about Immunizations by State

American Academy of Family Physicians
Image: aafp.org

The medical director of OSF Medical Group in Illinois, Dr. Lamont Tyler focuses much of his practice on acute care, urgent care, and family medicine. A graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Lamont Tyler possesses more than 25 years of experience in the field and belongs to such professional organizations as the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

As part of its efforts to improve patient and community health, the AAFP routinely creates new tools and resources, including its online mapping tool for immunization. Created in August 2017, this tool helps users determine their likelihood of encountering individuals who have not been immunized. In this way, the organization hopes to promote immunization and help parents and physicians increase safety in their communities.

The tool provides information based on the user’s state. For example, users can look at the tool to discover that young children in New Mexico are more likely to have at least four doses of tetanus toxoids, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccinations than young children in Texas. Users can also examine the percentage of women and teen girls who have been vaccinated for HPV in particular states.

Beyond showing vaccination rates, the tool also provides information about vaccination exemptions permitted in each state. Continuing with the previous example, parents in New Mexico can opt out of immunizations for their children based on religious beliefs, while those in Texas can opt out for religious or philosophical reasons.