Abt’s analysis of the role of the private sector in Georgia’s immunization services reveals an innovative model in which the government contracts mostly private providers to provide immunization services, using both state and commercial vaccines. While the quality of care is adequate, the study finds that government could consider results-based incentives to increase coverage, and could promote the use of regulation cold chain equipment. Additionally, though user fees are limited, investigating their impact on vaccination could be revealing. Finally, the report also suggests Georgia’s successful government contracting model is worth evaluating as a potential model for other countries.
This report and the underlying study have been supported by a grant secured from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.