What is an AFIX?

Assessment, Feedback, Incentives, and eXchange (AFIX)  is a quality improvement program used to raise immunization coverage levels, reduce missed opportunities to vaccinate, and improve standards of practices at the provider level.  Ohio AFIXs are performed by Local Health Departments and Ohio Department of Health.  

Any immunization provider in Ohio that serves pediatric or adolescent patients can participate in an AFIX. The process is simple. The practice will work with a trained AFIX assessor to assess their immunization rates and work to develop an action plan to improve their immunization practices. It is important to ensure patients are up-to-date with their immunization to offer the best protection against vaccine preventable diseases. Assessing immunization rates on a regular bases is an effective and recommended strategy for improving immunization rates in both public and private provider settings.

AFIX consists of:

• Assessment of immunization coverage levels
• Feedback of information to physicians and staff
• Incentives to recognize and reward outstanding and improved performance
• eXchange of best practices and follow up with the provider 

AFIX Awards:

Making changes and sustaining high immunization coverage levels is not easy. The Ohio Department of Health would like to recognize the commitment and dedication of providers who achieve high levels of immunization coverage and saw continued improvement in immunization rates, including the Ohio AFIX Award winners announced this year.

• Pediatric Excellence Award: o Awarded to providers who achieve immunization coverage rates of 90 percent or higher for the recommended series of 4 diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP), 3 polio, 1 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), 3 Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), 3 hepatitis B (Hep B), 1 varicella, and 4 pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) as indicated by results from the 2016 AFIX.

• Adolescent Excellence Award: o Awarded to providers who achieve immunization coverage rates of 80 percent or higher for human papillomavirus (HPV) series completion as indicated by results from the 2016 AFIX.

Ohio Department of Health would like to express our gratitude to immunization providers for their commitment and continued efforts to fully immunize Ohio’s children and adolescents!