The Public Health: State Immunization Programs

Every state and the District of Columbia operate an immunization program.  The mission of these state-operated immunization programs is to mitigate disease, disability, and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases in infants, children, adolescents, and adults.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are more than a dozen dangerous or deadly diseases whose threat to the public can be mitigated through vaccines.  These state-operated programs accomplish their mission through surveillance, case investigation and control, the monitoring of immunization levels in their communities, the provision of vaccines to the public, and the education of healthcare professionals and the general public about the threat posed by vaccine-preventable diseases.  To find state-operated immunization programs, check out our resource page:

State Immunization Programs | Health Guide USA

Protecting the Public: State Medical Boards

Physicians and surgeons must be licensed in the states in which they practice.  In most states, regulatory oversight is provided by a State Medical Board or the equivalent.  These regulatory bodies are responsible for protecting the health and safety of the public by determining licensure qualifications for new physicians and surgeons, establishing standards for practitioners to follow in order to maintain their license in good standing, and disciplining licensees who do not adhere to those requirements. In addition to physicians and surgeons, in a number of states the Medical Board, or its equivalent, provide regulatory oversight of physician assistants and various other types of healthcare professions.  To find the Medical Boards, or the equivalent, that oversees physician and surgeon practitioners in each state. visit our resource guide:

State Medical Boards | Health Guide USA