Last spring the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists sent pertussis information packets to more than 33,000 of its members to increase awareness among doctors, and a joint program between the AmeriCares charity and pharmaceutical company Sanofi - Pasteur has given more than 117,000 free Tdap booster shots to health clinics around the country to
immunize uninsured, low - income
families.
EIP showed favorable impacts on 8 outcomes, including fewer days and episodes of hospitalization, relative to those in the comparison group, covering a range of 6 weeks to 2 years postpartum.13, 23,24 EIP also showed a favorable effect on the percentage of children who were adequately
immunized by 1 year, but the difference was no longer statistically significant by 2 years.13, 24 Early Start demonstrated favorable effects on 3 outcomes, including percentage who received well - child visits and dental service.25 — 27 HFA had favorable results for 4 health care outcomes, such as the number of well - child visits and whether the child had health insurance.28 — 31 HFA had an unfavorable effect on the number of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits.32 The research showed that Healthy Steps had a beneficial effect on 2 outcomes: 1 - month well - child visits and diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis vaccinations.33 Finally, NFP had favorable results on 3 outcomes measuring the number of ED visits at different follow - ups but an unfavorable / ambiguous effect on number of days hospitalized between 25 and 50 months.34, 35 The research on 2 programs (Oklahoma's CBFRS and PAT) showed no effects on measures of health care use or coverage.36 — 40 The research on 5 programs (Child FIRST, EHS,
Family Check - Up, HIPPY, and PALS for Infants) did not report health care coverage or usage outcomes.