Network News — April 18, 2024

Webinar/Biennial Meeting

Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

Resources

Coalitions in the News

Announcements

Webinar/Biennial Meeting

Thank you to all of the planners and participants for making the 2024 National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships a huge success!

The Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition hosted the 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP), an in-person meeting that was held in Philadelphia on April 9–11 with over 550 registrants! The NCICP is the only conference solely dedicated to collaboration and partnership to improve immunization uptake, educate the community, and prevent the spread of disease.

With great appreciation, we thank the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition and all who participated in NCICP this year.

Back to Top

Register now! Virtual: National Network of Immunization Coalitions hosts “Beyond Rhetoric: Unveiling Views on Vaccines through Candidate Surveys” webinar on April 23 at 1:00 pm (ET).

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions will host a webinar titled Beyond Rhetoric: Unveiling Views on Vaccines through Candidate Surveys at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on April 23. During the webinar, Becky Christiansen and Jennifer Herricks from SAFE Communities will discuss the work they are doing to develop candidate surveys and voter guides, as well as the immunization advocacy activities they are working on across the country. Additionally, Lory Shereen Winland of the Ohio Chapter of the AAP will discuss the immunization advocacy work her organization has been involved with in Ohio.

Register for the webinar.

Back to Top

Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions highlights the Northeast Wisconsin Immunization Coalition

Northeast Wisconsin Immunization Coalition’s (NEWIC) mission is to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases through high immunization rates and to establish a network of providers and consumers who share the common interest of increasing immunization levels in the community. The NEWIC regional coalition represents 13 health departments, one tribal health center, one federally qualified health center (FQHC), and four healthcare organizations.

The coalition promotes immunization through education presented on bus signage, billboards, and in movie trailers. NEWIC presented on vaccine hesitancy to the Wisconsin Society of Medical Assistants (WSMA) where CEU was earned by the participants. At the beginning of its quarterly general coalition meetings, NEWIC hosts educational presentations on current or emerging immunization topics and products.

  

NEWIC annually celebrates an Immunization Champion in its northeast region of Wisconsin and hosts a biannual Immunization Symposium. At the April 25 symposium, NEWIC will partner with Badger Talks of the University of Wisconsin. The webinar will feature James Conway, MD, along with speakers from Families Fighting Flu and the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin.

  

For more information, visit the Northeast Wisconsin Immunization Coalition website.

Back to Top

Montgomery County Immunization Coalition shares social media posts for National Infant Immunization Week

Montgomery County Immunization Coalition (MCIC) has collaborated with partner organizations to create social media images in four languages that can be used during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) on April 22–28. Use the images to get the word out that it’s important for children to stay up to date on recommended vaccines. Social media images can be found in Chinese, English, Korean and Spanish.

Back to Top

Immunize Colorado shares fact sheet on what you need to know about measles disease

In response to the current measles outbreaks, Immunize Colorado has created a new fact sheet to help educate families, patients, and community members about measles and the MMR vaccine.

View and share the fact sheet.

Back to Top

Dr. Mohamed Jalloh writes the book Andre’s Armor to combat vaccine hesitancy in northern New Jersey

Mohamed Jalloh, PharmD, wrote a children’s book titled Andre’s Armor to help combat vaccine hesitancy in communities of color. An excerpt from the press release appears below.

Andre’s story begins in the waiting room at a doctor’s office, with a scared young boy who doesn’t want to get his shots. While waiting, Andre plays a video game in which a knight fights against monsters, and he soon discovers that viruses aren’t so different from the evil monsters in his game. With the help of his mother and a kind physician, Andre learns that vaccines help his body fight off diseases the same way a knight protects his kingdom from monsters.

By explaining modern medicine to children in simple, easy-to-understand metaphors, Andre’s Armor is the perfect book to help parents prepare their children for their regular visits to the doctor’s office or before they visit their local pharmacy. The picture book also features diverse characters, including a black female physician, whom Andre visits to get his shots.

Purchase the book on Amazon.

Back to Top

Immunize Kansas Coalition hosts vaccination community navigator trainings across Kansas

The Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) piloted Vaccination Community Navigator Trainings, a new program created by national partner, Vaccinate Your Family (VYF). IKC’s Community Health Specialists connected and trained community members across the state during March and April. Trainings featured different education modules, highlighting key concepts to enhance knowledge of vaccines, ultimately building confidence among participants. These modules covered a variety of topics including the past, present, and future of vaccines; the nuts and bolts of vaccines; how to debunk misinformation and bolster vaccine confidence; and addressing social determinants of health and barriers to vaccination.

IKC’s Community Health Specialists saw good attendance at each of its training opportunities. As of early April, there have been 8 training sessions in 4 locations with over 75 attendees, and more sessions are planned. The events had great engagement among participants as they shared conversations, built connections, and participated in raffle giveaways. Most of all, attendees left enthused as they strengthened their knowledge of vaccines, learned how to encourage vaccination in their communities, and where to navigate people to vaccination services.

Back to Top

Virtual: Montgomery County Immunization Coalition hosts Ask the Experts webinar on childhood vaccines during National Infant Immunization Week on April 23 at 7:00 p.m. (ET); Spanish version held on April 25 at 7:00 p.m. (ET)

The Montgomery County Immunization Coalition (MCIC) will host a webinar during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) on childhood vaccines as part of their Ask the Experts webinar series at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on April 23. A Spanish version of the webinar will follow at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on April 25. During the webinar, healthcare experts will answer participants’ questions on childhood vaccines.

Register for the webinar in English and in Spanish.

Back to Top

In person: Louisiana Families for Vaccines will partner with the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Louisiana Vaccine Alliance to host the third annual “Day of Action for Vaccines” on April 29 at 9:00 a.m. (CT) in Baton Rouge

Louisiana Families for Vaccines is partnering with the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Louisiana Vaccine Alliance to host its 3rd annual Day of Action for Vaccines on April 29. The event brings a diverse grassroots network to the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge to advocate for vaccines and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.

Register for the event.

Back to Top

Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

Vaccinate Your Family launches its redesigned and updated website and releases its "2023 Annual Report" and its "2024 State of the ImmUnion Report" on vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States

Vaccinate Your Family (VYF), a leading national nonprofit organization focused on helping people get vaccinated, launched comprehensive updates to its website, VaccinateYourFamily.org. This Vaccine Safety Net (VSN)-certified site guides more than a quarter million visitors each year to science-based information. Visit the site to see the new homepage, a rebuilt Vaccine FAQ section (including popular videos), the Latest News main page, and downloadable resources.

Additionally, VYF released its 2023 Annual Report highlighting the programs and partnerships that build a culture of immunization. Last year marked 30 years since the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program was authorized. This year’s report reflects on the 1 million lives saved in the United States thanks to childhood vaccines and proposes a roadmap back to a culture of immunization based on collaboration.

VYF also released its 8th annual State of the ImmUnion Report. The primary audience for this report is Congress. In 2023, exemptions to childhood vaccinations reached an all-time high in the United States, and adult vaccination rates continued to struggle, particularly among Black, Latino, and Hispanic adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of uninsured children who did not receive vaccines doubled from 3% to 6%. Too many people have lost faith in the public health system and some now skip vaccines. VYF’s “2024 State of the ImmUnion Report” describes the ongoing challenges our nation faces and the policies that can increase vaccination rates and promote public safety.

Visit VaccinateYourFamily.org for more.

Back to Top

In-person: Registration open for CDC’s “National Immunization Conference 2024” on August 12–14 in Atlanta; abstract deadline April 19; CE credit offered

CDC will host its National Immunization Conference 2024 (NIC) on August 12–14 in Atlanta, GA. Program content will cover science, policy, education, and implementation issues related to immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases. The conference will feature dynamic speakers from a range of backgrounds and experiences, offering continuing education for a variety of professions.

Abstracts are being accepted through April 19. Notification of acceptance will be sent in mid-June. View abstract submission guidelines.

Registration is now open and the general attendee fee is $685. CME will be offered. Register for the conference.

See CDC’s National Immunization Conference 2024 website for more information.

Back to Top

In-person: The National Adult and Influenza Summit hosts "Overcoming Implementation Challenges in Adult and Influenza Immunization" meeting on August 15–16 in Atlanta

The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS, aka “The Summit”) will host its in-person meeting, Overcoming Implementation Challenges in Adult and Influenza Immunization on August 15–16 in Atlanta, GA, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The keynote presenter will be Katherine Jamieson, PhD, Elizabeth Ware Packard Professor of Communication and director, Annenberg Public Policy Center at the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania.

Other meeting presentations and discussions will focus on the current state of adult and influenza immunizations and challenges and opportunities for providers, public health, and community organizations in the climate of changes in vaccine hesitancy and an expanding adult vaccination schedule. The Summit’s 2024 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards will be presented at the traditional awards luncheon, to be held on August 15.

The NAIIS has reserved a block of rooms at an excellent rate for this year’s meeting. Following registration, you will have the opportunity to book a hotel at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The discounted rate will expire on July 11. If attending both NIC and NAIIS, you will need to make a separate hotel reservation for each event. The hotel will work with guests to coordinate the two reservations.

This meeting is an invitation-only event. While registration is free, registration will be closed once the meeting registration reaches maximum capacity. This will also apply to the awards luncheon.

For access to the registration page, please email info@izsummitpartners.org.

Back to Top

The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit solicits nominations for its 2024 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards to be presented at the NAIIS in-person meeting on August 15–16 in Atlanta

The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS, aka “The Summit”) is soliciting nominations for awardees for the 2024 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards. Immunization stakeholders have gone above and beyond to serve the public health and healthcare needs of individuals and communities, and The Summit wants to recognize its heroes. The 2024 awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions towards improving vaccination access, confidence, delivery, and equity in their communities during 2023–2024. The awards focus on individuals and organizations that exemplify the meaning of the “immunization neighborhood” (collaboration, coordination, and communication among immunization stakeholders dedicated to meeting the immunization needs of the patient and protecting the community from vaccine-preventable diseases).

The 2024 NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards recognize contributions in two categories: influenza vaccination and adult vaccination. One award is specifically focused on influenza vaccination efforts. The other award, Immunization Neighborhood for Adult Vaccinations Award, is intended to recognize and reflect on immunization activities beyond COVID-19 vaccination and influenza, as we look forward to ongoing and new post-pandemic collaborations across health professions and community stakeholders. The submission may include COVID-19 and influenza vaccination but should place emphasis on activities to increase acceptance and administration of other recommended routine vaccinations.

On August 15, the two national winners will be presented with the following awards: the Laura Scott 2023–24 Outstanding Influenza Season Activities Award and the Immunization Neighborhood for Adult Vaccination Award. Where appropriate, an Honorable Mention recipient may also be selected. The winners will receive their awards at the NAIIS in-person meeting on August 15–16 in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be invited to give a brief talk about their programs. Travel and lodging will be covered for national winners.

The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2024.

Access the NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards nomination form.

Back to Top

Resources

National Infant Immunization Week is April 22–29; prepare your promotion activities with CDC’s digital media toolkit

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 22–29, highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunization partners. Since 1994, hundreds of communities have joined together during NIIW to celebrate the crucial role vaccination plays in protecting our children, communities, and public health.

CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. Completing the recommended vaccinations by age 2 years is the best way to protect young children from 15 potentially life-threatening diseases. Considering the challenges of the pandemic years, these messages are more important than ever for families to hear.

CDC makes it simple to plan your NIIW activities by using their promotional materials including English and Spanish logos, sample social media content, social graphics, and key messages. Please share your posts using the hashtag #ivax2protect.

Related Links

Back to Top

CDC releases simple, parent-friendly 2024 immunization schedules in English and Spanish

CDC now offers simple, parent-friendly, and downloadable versions of the childhood immunization schedules:

   

Related Links

Back to Top

Voices for Vaccines releases podcast with Paul Offit, MD, discussing his new book on deciphering COVID-19 myths

Voices for Vaccines (VFV) posted a new entry in its Vax Talk podcast series: Tell Paul Offit When It’s Over featuring Paul Offit, MD. A description from the VFV web page appears below.

What caused SARS-CoV-2? Are vaccine mandates necessary? Is COVID here to stay? How can we protect ourselves in this new world? These are just some of the questions Dr. Paul Offit tackles in his new book Tell Me When It’s Over: An Insider’s Guide to Deciphering Covid Myths and Navigating Our Post-Pandemic World. Join us for this lively conversation about his book and the latest vaccine news.

Related Links

Back to Top

Association of Immunization Managers offers resource on managing vaccine hesitancy during an outbreak

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) released Managing Vaccine Hesitancy during an Outbreak: A Focus on Cultural Competency, the second chapter in its Lessons from the Field: Promoting Vaccine Confidence guide. This resource offers essential, culturally competent steps for identifying and engaging with communities at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. These steps help address vaccine hesitancy, particularly in outbreak situations. Each step highlights key considerations, experiences from the field, immunization program and stakeholder insights, lessons learned, and resources to support programs’ community engagement efforts.

Back to Top

NFID posts podcast featuring Leana Wen, MD, MSc, on health disparities and improving health outcomes

Infectious IDeas, a podcast series from NFID, brings leading experts together for thought-provoking conversations. The latest entry in the series,  Journey to Patient Advocate and Public Health Champion, features Leana Wen, MD, MSc, practicing physician, and Washington Post columnist. A description from the web page appears below.

Wen shares her remarkable journey, from her childhood as an immigrant to the U.S. from China, to her experiences as Health Commissioner of Baltimore. Discover her thoughts on addressing health disparities, improving health outcomes, and the untold health stories that deserve more attention. 

A person in a red shirtDescription automatically generated

Back to Top

Coalitions in the News

Back to Top

Announcements

Announcements from the National Network of Immunization Coalitions

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions reminds you of the important ways every coalition can plug into the power of our network:

  • Bookmark National Network of Immunization Coalitions’ Calendar of Events on its website, immunizationcoalitions.org, to learn about upcoming national, regional, state, and local conferences; workshops; and virtual educational opportunities
  • Subscribe to IZ Express, the free weekly e-newsletter produced by Immunize.org, for immunization-related news, new and updated recommendations, educational materials, and educational opportunities
  • Urge your coalition members to sign up for IZ Coalitions Network News, the monthly e-newsletter for the National Network of Immunization Coalitions that features news of interest to immunization coalitions and nonprofit organizations. To subscribe, send a request to info@immunizationcoalitions.org asking to be included.
  • Be sure that your coalition is listed and information is up to date on the National Network of Immunization Coalitions website. To add your coalition or make updates, please email info@immunizationcoalitions.org.
Back to Top
Back To Top