Determining which immunizations are needed for children can be challenging even for very experienced and educated health care workers. However, when instruction and exposure to immunization protocols are limited, deciding on the correct vaccines can be challenging. With these concerns in mind, Pam Strohfus, RN, and Teresa Phillips, RN, developed the “Shot Line.” This free service provides immediate telephone consultation by a registered nurse.  The program also publishes a newsletter for Idaho health care workers on immunization delivery. The main goal of the program is to provide accurate and timely immunization information to health care workers.

Ongoing research indicates that the most frequent callers to the Shot Line are medical assistants, who often need additional instruction as well. The Shot Line also offers enhanced education in providing correct vaccines, which has improved medical care for thousands of Idaho children. Plans to offer similar programs in other states are being formulated with the assistance of Sandra Nadelson, RN. For more information about the Shot Line, visit our Web site at

http://www.cdhd.idaho.gov/IMM/medprov/shotline.htm or call (208) 321-BABY (2229).