Network News – October 15, 2012
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Table of Contents
- The 2014 National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions is looking for a host
- Summary of October 1 IZCoalitions Network conference call
The 2014 National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions is looking for a host
The National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions (NCIHC) is a gathering of coalition leaders, staff and board members; public health workers and experts; and community advocates. The conference occurs every two years and is the product of a national volunteer planning committee. The planning committee works closely with a local organization to host the meeting. The application to host the 2014 NCIHC is now available. Please read the information and consider whether your organization would be eligible and interested in hosting this very valuable conference. Applications are due by November 30, 2012.
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Summary of October 1 IZCoalitions Network conference call
The following is a summary of IAC's IZCoalitions Network conference call held October 1. We hope you find these notes useful if you were unable to attend or even if you were on the call.
Catherine Martin, Director, California Immunization Coalition, provided an update of California Assembly Bill 2109. After 9 months of work, this bill was signed into law by Governor Brown on September 30. The bill requires that any parent or guardian who requests exemption from vaccination for a child must receive information about the risks and benefits from a specified healthcare provider that includes a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, naturopath (under supervision of a licensed physician), or credentialed school nurse. In his signing statement the governor directed the California Department of Public Health "to allow for a separate religious exemption on the form." California had previously only offered medical and personal belief exemptions. The state health department will develop a form that parents can use to apply for an exemption; alternatively, the parent/guardian or healthcare professional can write a letter. The law will be implemented January 2014. Catherine concluded that this success was a real team effort.
Sharon Humiston, MD, MPH, Associate Director for Research, IAC, presented a summary of IAC's survey of 224 immunization coalitions. Dr. Humiston's slides provide an excellent overview of her talk.
A brainstorming session took place with open discussion of possible topics for future phone conferences and emails. If you have ideas for future topics, please email IAC's Teresa Anderson.
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