Effect of a pay for performance schemes on improvement of the childhood immunization coverage rates: A literature review

Immunization represents the most effective and economical tool available in the field of public health.The use of vaccines led to profound changes in the epidemiology of many infectious diseases, reducing their morbidity and mortality.General practitioners play a key role in the delivery of these type of preventive services.The purpose of this paper is to give a comprehensive overview of the literature evidence on the impact of different Pay for Performance programs in general practice on childhood immunization rates.Most of selected studies showed that childhood immunization rates within a health plan that implemented a robust Pay for Performance program were significantly higher.Ongoing monitoring of incentive programs has important value and is critical to determine the effectiveness of financial incentives plans.