In 2002, at least 40 percent of Newark’s preschool children lacked the full complement of recommended immunizations that help prevent serious and often life-threatening illnesses including measles, mumps, polio, hepatitis B, invasive pneumococcal disease, whooping cough, diphtheria, typhus, pertussis and Hib, or Haemophilis influenzae type b disease, caused by the bacterium responsible for meningitis. By 2005, the immunization rate had dramatically improved.

Start with the threat to young children of serious diseases that are prevented though vaccination. Add the passion of a project leader like Peter Wenger, MD, associate professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health/Pediatrics at NJMS, and the dedication and tireless efforts of people throughout Newark. What do we get? In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes Newark’s success as the most improved for preschoolers in an urban area at the 41st National Immunization Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

“This is absolutely incredible,” says Wenger. “I hope people understand the magnitude of this achievement. For years, young children in Newark suffered significantly lower immunization coverage rates compared to their peers in the rest of New Jersey as well as the United States. But it’s just the beginning. We still have a way to go to reach 100 percent protection for all children, who deserve timely, age-appropriate immunization against serious diseases. And without persistence and diligence, we could see rates fall again.”

One key ingredient is an innovative intervention: a confidential, personalized, telephone reminder system that uses state-of-the-art voice technology to remind Newark families with children aged 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months and 15 months about immunizations. The system now also serves Irvington, East Orange and Orange.