Amador County – The California Vaccines for Children Program recently recognized Sutter Amador Hospital Pediatrics Center for outstanding achievement in immunizing children of Amador County and surrounding communities it serves.

Dr. David Stone, director of the Sutter Amador Pediatric Center said “in order to be able to continue to offer this program to our patients, we have to be able to pass with 80 percent. We have received 100 percent the past two years – this is an extremely rare achievement.”

Stone said: “This is a tremendous achievement for our office and a testament to the hard work and commitment shown by our staff and care providers toward maintaining this program.”

Hospital information officer Jody Boetzer said Wednesday that the VFC Program is managed by the California Department of Public Health’s Immunization Branch and is administered at the national level by the U.S. Center for Disease control and Prevention. Enrolled VFC providers, such as Sutter Amador Pediatrics Center, are able to provide routine immunizations to eligible children without high out-of-pocket costs.

“We voluntarily enroll in this program to ensure that all children without insurance receive the vaccinations they need,” Dr. Stone said.

Program requirements include that all VFC providers comply with CDC’s Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices, including periodical program audits. During Sutter Amador Pediatrics Center’s most recent audit, the state evaluator reviewed 30 patient charts for accuracy of vaccine administration and documentation. They were also reviewed for compliance in areas such as ordering procedures, vaccine storage and handling, program eligibility screening and record keeping.

Boetzer said “Sutter Amador Pediatrics Center did not receive any deficiencies and were commended in several areas including immunizing children on time and according to State law requirements.”

Sutter Amador Pediatrics Center has three board-certified pediatricians and a nurse practitioner who provide comprehensive medical care for children ranging in age from newborns to 18 years of age. The Pediatrics Center is located on the second floor of the Sutter Amador Outpatient Services Center, Suite 2600. For information, call (209) 257-1722.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.