NIIW
NIIW Activities
Across the U.S.
April 25- May 1, 2004

• Arizona
• California
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Michigan

• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• Washington
     

• Big Shots Arizona Awards Dinner
  On April 28th, The Arizona Partnership for Immunization will host an awards dinner featuring keynote speaker, Gary Marshall, M.D., as he addresses the Ten Truths about Vaccines. Awards will be presented to outstanding immunization partners of Arizona. Community partners include: The Arizona Partnership for Immunization, The Arizona Department of Health Services, Aventis Vaccines, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA HealthCare, Mercy Care Plan, Care 1st Health Plan, Scientific Technologies, Arizona Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics, Phoenix Health Plan, Arizona Association of Community Health Centers, Arizona Medical Association, and Pueblo Pediatrics.
     
• Concilio Latino de Salud
  The Executive Director of Concilio Latino de Salud, Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz de Valdes, will be the guest speaker in a one-hour Línea Abierta national talk radio show on Radio Bilingüe to be held on April 26, 2004 at 12 (noon) Pacific Time. This radio show will be focused on the subject of immunization across the life span, with particular emphasis on childhood and adolescent immunization. The live talk show will also be available for online access at http://www.radiobilingue.org/.   Dr. Valdes will also conduct interviews on immunizations in Hispanic communities with the local media in Phoenix. During the NIIW, Concilio will distribute the Vacunas para la familia materials among its traditional and non-traditional prevention partners; and during “El Día del Niño Festival” (Children’s Fest) on April 30, 2004.

Stop Whooping Cough: California Statewide Events
California Coalition for Children's Immunizations (C3I) promotes “Breathe with Ease” by immunizing against Pertussis! That’s the message communicated statewide in California by over 40 public health agencies and coalitions through a series of news and community events to kick off National Infant Immunization Week, the last week in April, and Toddler Immunization Month in May 2004.

The campaign, “Stop the Cough! Protect Children from Pertussis”, features activities by hundreds of children to emphasize the importance of immunizations against Pertussis, commonly called the whooping cough. The campaign addresses the fact that children are still dying of vaccine preventable diseases in California. These events are designed to draw attention to the vulnerability of under-immunized children when they are exposed to serious, yet immunization-preventable illnesses.

Some of the news and community events include the following: events at daycare facilities involving children, teachers, and parents; community luncheons and dinners featuring guest speakers on immunization issues, educational outreach activities at community venues such as farmer's markets, health fairs, and festivals; faith-based community activities; provider and clinic staff recognitions; proclamations; declaring various days of recognition such as Preschool and Child Care Provider Day, Provider and Clinic Staff Day, Community Action Day, and Coalition Day; media outreach through news releases and press conferences; WIC activities; special promotions at Head Start programs; and physicians forums and other provider education activities.

C3I is partnering with the California Distance Learning Health Network (CDLHN), various California Immunization Coalitions and Health Departments, the California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch, and the American Lung Association on the California campaign.

Stop Whooping Cough! Children's Events

• To educate people about the importance of infant and toddler immunizations, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services, Immunization Program is partnering with local public and private health organizations to hold a Stop Whooping Cough! event on April 28th during NIIW (April 25-May 1). The event, to be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Community Services Head Start Program, Montgomery School in San Diego, will feature kids blowing bubbles, singing songs, and performing other activities to show the importance of keeping lungs healthy.
     
• A press conference will also be held during the event. The following individuals are scheduled to speak at the event: Greg Cox, First District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors, County of San Diego; Nancy Bowen, M.D., Public Health Officer, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA); Howard Backer, M.D., Acting Chief, Immunization Branch, California Department of Health Services; and Larry Pickering, M.D., Senior Advisor to the Director, NIP, CDC.

  Working closely with partners in Tijuana, Mexico, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services is also planning a similar event at the DIF Childcare Center. These two children's events highlight the importance of cross-border teamwork in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The San Diego and Tijuana local media outlets are anticipated to cover these two very important events.

• A Physicians Forum will take place in Tijuana on April 27th and in San Diego on April 28th. Timed to coincide with immunization events in every country in the Western Hemisphere, this forum will include the latest information about new vaccines and vaccine policy changes and other immunization issues critical to the border region. Physicians in southern California and throughout Mexico have been invited to attend these events. Dr. Larry Pickering and Dr. Marte Hernández Porras are the featured speakers. Dr. Larry Pickering, M.D., F.A.A.P. is the Senior Advisor to the Director, NIP, CDC. Dr. Marte Hernández Porras is a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist and the Director of Infectious Disease Services with the National Institute of Pediatrics in Mexico.

  Community partners include: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), US/Mexico Border Health Commission, California Distance Learning Health Network (CDLHN), Episcopal Community Services (ECS) Head Start Program, Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF), San Diego Rotary Club, Aventis, and the Kiwanis of San Diego.

Washington, DC

• Every Child By Two, CDC staff, and local immunization personnel will present to health care providers at a physician dinner, a nurses luncheon, and an office managers luncheon. The events will take place on April 23 and April 26-28th. The participants will learn about the benefits of utilizing their local immunization registry and will be encouraged to sign up for the registry. This event is being sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield who will invite all participating providers. An evaluation of the campaign will be conducted by the staff at the local immunization registry which involves tracking inquiries, enrollment, training and participation as they apply to the registry.
     
• The Vacunas para la familia: Immunization for All Ages program from the National Alliance for Hispanic Health along with its lead agencies is coordinating the following activities to be conducted in celebration of the 2004 NIIW.

• Shots By Two!
  The Leon County Immunization Coalition will sponsor an “Ice Cream for Health” party on May 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the new Boys and Girls Club facility (306 Laura Lee Avenue) to renew the need for all children to be fully immunized by the age of two.

Children will receive a free scoop of ice cream from the Tallahassee Northside Kiwanis Club when they bring a parent to the event. Children bringing a younger sibling will receive two scoops of ice cream. Children that bring a complete shot record will have a chance to win one of two $25 gift certificates from Wal-Mart, donated by Vista Health Plan.

Parents will receive education on the importance of immunizations in protecting their children from 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. Nurses from the state Department of Health and Leon County Health Department will be available to answer questions and to provide brochures with the schedule of shots to be given to children by the age of two. Vaccinations will not be given during the event.

• 85 by ’05—Achieving the Goal!
  To kick-off a two year immunization initiative and encourage strong partnerships, The Florida Department of Health, sponsored by The Florida AHEC Network, has planned The 2004 Statewide Summit of Early Childhood Immunizations – 85 by ’05 – Achieving the Goal! Professional training will be provided to health care providers on April 23-24th and includes sessions on strategies for increasing coverage and taking advantage of opportunities to ensure the good health for children by two years of age. The goal is to reach 85 percent coverage for children two years of age by July 2005.

  Summit participants include the Florida Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), Children’s Medical Services (CMS), public health physicians, private health care providers, public health and private sector nurses, immunization specialists, and others.
     

Cause for Celebration - Complete by 2
Hillsborough County Health Department will host a 2-hour party on April 24th to raise awareness and emphasize the importance of timely immunization for children. Children 24-35 months who have had their immunizations completed on or before their 2nd birthday are invited with their family members. Exhibitors are organizations, businesses, and others that have messages, services, and products for young families and children. Entertainment, cake, and door prizes will be provided. Other goodies include a free trip to Lowry Park Zoo (host site) for children and discounted entry and food tickets for families.

Several organizations and businesses that have donated goods or volunteered to participate are recognized in the program guide which is given to each family and provided on our web site.

Super Shot is celebrating its 10th year of service during National Infant Immunization Week by hosting a “birthday party” with its founders, board, volunteers, staff, health care providers and community partners on Thursday, April 29, as a way to celebrate the organization’s accomplishments and goals for the future. Among the party’s special guests will be Dr. William L. Atkinson from the National Immunization Program at the CDC. Dr. Atkinson will address the importance of childhood immunization. A special recognition will follow. The media have been invited to the event. Also in the works are possible media interviews with Super Shot’s executive director to be conducted throughout NIIW. Articles and a “cheers” letter to the editor have been submitted to local newspapers, which mention NIIW and salute contributors to Super Shot’s success. Event organizers applied for a proclamation from the mayor’s office in honor of Super Shot.

Super Shot, Inc. promotes vaccination and increases avenues for immunization for all children in Allen County, Indiana, and surrounding communities. Super Shot is an independent program, unique to Allen County, providing free immunizations to all children at more than a dozen clinic locations. The Super Shot concept originated in 1992, when a small group of concerned citizens met to address immunization concerns in the Fort Wayne community. A dynamic program grew from their collaboration – Super Shot Saturday – and its first clinic was held in 1993. From 1992-1999, Super Shot Saturday provided 20,000 vaccinations for 10,000 children. Through a dynamic coalition with the Allen County Department of Health, the Minority Health Coalition of Allen County, Fort Wayne Community Schools and Neighborhood Health Clinics, Super Shot evolved from a semi-annual, Saturday event to a 24-day-per-month program in 1999.

• Birthday Party For Up-To-Date 2 Year Olds
  A party was held on April 6th for all two year olds who were up-to-date on their immunizations. T-shirts promoting immunizations and the L.I.V.E. coalition were presented to the children. Children in attendance were also enjoyed a story about immunizations. This event was televised on the local morning and evening news as a reminder to viewers on the importance of childhood immunizations. Community partners included the Warren County Health Department, the Medical Center at Bowling Green, Greenview Regional Hospital, Kentucky State Immunization Program, South Central Kentucky AHEC, First Baptist Preschool, Emmanuel Baptist Church Daycare, BG/WC Primary Care Center, pharmaceutical and parent representatives.
    
• Radio Program
  From April 25-May 1, the L.I.V.E. coalition will also partner with a local radio station to raise public awareness about the importance of getting childhood immunizations by asking questions to the listening audience. The callers with the correct answers will have their names placed in a drawing for a weekend get-away at any Kentucky state park. The two hospitals in Bowling Green will receive one hundred bibs with logos from L.I.V.E. and sponsors printed on the front and 100 laminated, magnetic childhood immunization schedules to be distributed during the month of April. Sponsors are the American Bank & Trust of Bowling Green and the Beaver Radio Station in Bowling Green/Glasgow.

Immunization Program
The Maryland Department of Health Center for Immunization is running a public service announcement (PSA), created by the CDC, to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of immunization. The iVillage Parenting Network, which produces the Newborn Channel, is airing the PSA from March 15, 2004 through National Infant Immunization Week and beyond.

The Center for Immunization is currently running a full page ad in the Spring/Summer edition of Baby Steps Magazine, which is distributed in hospitals throughout the country. The Office of Health Communications at the CDC National Immunization Program developed a message for placement in the magazine on behalf of the Maryland Department of Health, specifically to correlate with this year’s theme for NIIW.

The Baltimore County Department of Health is sponsoring several events to increase the awareness of childhood immunization. Two of the planned activities target parents and caregivers while the other is specifically for health care providers.

• WIC Immunization Education Activity
  The Baltimore County Department of Health is supplying videos, educational materials, and gifts to all sites associated with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for use during the months of April, May, and June. The WIC sites will show the videos, “A Brief Introduction to Childhood Vaccines” and a Spanish version of an immunization video, during their education session at check pick-up. WIC may use the gifts, snack cups and phone cards, as an incentive for parents and caregivers to bring their child's immunization information.
     
• Childhood Wellness Luncheon
  The Baltimore County Department of Health is partnering with the Maryland Childhood Immunization Partnership (MCIP) to sponsor a Childhood Wellness luncheon for health care providers to be held on April 30th. Invitations will be extended to children-focused community programs, VFC providers, and community leaders.
     
• Childhood Wellness Health Fairs
  During April 26th, 27th, and 29th, the Baltimore County IAP is sponsoring three Childhood Wellness Fairs at local malls to celebrate National Infant Immunization Week. Parents and caregivers will receive a free phone card with an attached survey to help track the number of people using the cards. Partners include WIC, Child Care Administration, Head Start, Infant & Toddler Program, and the local fire department and health centers.
     

Nevada Childhood Immunization Clinics
Community partners unite in offering free childhood immunization clinics from April 17th -April 24th at various locations throughout northern Nevada. Child safety seat checks will be offered at some locations, in addition to entertainment, give-aways, clowns, face painting, and other fun activities.

The Northern Nevada Immunization Coalition is working with the following community partners: Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Carol Moore, Carson City Emblem Club #507, Carson City Health Department, Carson City School District, Carson Tahoe Hospital, Carson Valley Medical Center, Digiprint, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, I Can Do Anything High School, HealthSmart, LabCorp, Nevada Health Centers, Inc., Nevada State Health Division, Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, Northern Nevada Immunization Coalition, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Orvis Nursing Clinic, Orvis School of Nursing, Pepsi Bottling Group, Port of Subs, Quest Diagnostics, R & B Technologies, REMSA Point of Impact, RSVP Clowns, Saint Mary's Health Network, Shopper's Square, Sparks Fire Department, Washoe County District Health Department, Washoe Medical Center, and Washoe County School District.

• Kick Off Breakfast
  The Newark Department of Health has coordinated a breakfast for community leaders on April 26th to introduce the Project Vaccinate team and to highlight the progress of Project Vaccinate in increasing immunization awareness throughout the City of Newark. Partners include La Casa de Don Pedro, Newark Emergency Services for Families, UMDNJ, Horizon BCBSNJ, and ELIZA Corporation.
     
• Immunization Training for Day Care Centers
  The Newark Department of Health & Human Services in partnership with UMDNJ has scheduled professional training for daycare centers on April 30th. The staff will be offered training on how to read immunization cards and determine when shots are due. Dr. Wenger will discuss the history of immunizations, and Ruby Huntley, RN will demonstrate the proper methods for maintaining immunizations records for compliance.

"Making Pitt's Babies Fit" Maternity Health Fair
The Pitt County Health Department is hosting a health fair at the Greenville Hilton on Sunday, April 25th. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to learn from exhibits, sibling classes and child seat checks, and enjoy a fashion show of the current trends in maternity wear. Community partners include the Pitt Infant Mortality Prevention Advisory (PIMPAC), the Pitt County Health Department, the March of Dimes, and the Pitt County Memorial Hospital.

• CAKEwalk Saturday
  (CAKE=Caring About Kids Enterprise)
  The Oklahoma County Immunization Coalition is holding the 11th annual Cakewalk Saturday on April 24th. The health fair is a one day, free children's immunization event at 7 locations throughout Oklahoma County and 2 sites in Cleveland County. Each site offers fun activities for the children as they wait or after they have been vaccinated. Activities include cakewalks, face painting, button making, reading corners, fire truck and ambulance tours. All children get a goodie bags of fun items when they leave. Flyers will be distributed through all the school districts in Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties as well as to over 300 daycare centers. Cox Cable will represent television media, and a press release will go out to all area newspapers and radio stations.

The results of the Cakewalk are tabulated each year to track the number of children seen at each site and the number of vaccines given. Since 1994, over 7,200 children have been vaccinated during this one day, four hour event. Planning for sites for the next year is based on the response from each site and the evaluations of the site captains.

Community partners include the following:
Sites: Monroney Jr. High, Southern Nazarene University, Trinity International Baptist Church, Crossroads Mall, Edmond Medical Center, Omniplex, Reaching Our City, Trinity First Church of God, and Cleveland County Health Department (CCHD). Administering Vaccines: Oklahoma City-County Health Dept (OCCHD), Variety Health Center, Mary Mahoney Memorial Health Center, Integris Health, Mid-Del Schools, Edmond Medical Center, SNU College of Nursing, OU College of Nursing, OU Pediatric Student Association, Community Action Agency, and CCHD. Volunteers: Rainbow Fleet, Latino Community Development Agency, Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Vaccine Division, Aventis Pasteur, Wyeth Vaccines, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Rotary Clubs of Central Oklahoma, Mercy Hospital, Community Outreach, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caring Van Program, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, Red Cross, American Racing Pigeon Union, Junior League, Edmond Medical Center Auxiliary, OCCHD, Visiting Nurses Association, Healthy Start, Church members from ROC, Trinity International, and Trinity First. Supplies and Giveaways: McDonald’s, Feed the Children, CCHD, Edmond Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, OKC Office of Weed-n-Seed, Precision Imaging, OKC Fire Dept., Omniplex, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, OCCHD, Deaconess Hospital, and Waddell Pointer & Associates, Smith Printing Media and Printing: Cox Communications, OSDH, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

• The Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA) has scheduled a “Clínica de Vacunas” (vaccination clinic, in English) from April 26th-30th to celebrate the National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) and the Childhood Abuse Prevention Month (El Mes de la Prevención del Abuso Infantil, in Spanish). LCDA will be distributing beach balls with a logo that say “Vacunas desde la cuna, esperar es lamentar” and refreshments for participants. LCDA is advertising this immunization clinic through a local radio station and with flyers posted in the nearby communities. Posters developed by the CDC for the National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) are displayed at local Hispanic businesses, restaurants, clinics, and other community agencies. LCDA, in partnership with the Oklahoma County Immunization Coalition, has planned the 11th Cakewalk Saturday. This is a one-day event to offer children’s immunization at 7 locations through Oklahoma County and 2 sites in Cleveland County. LCDA will be assisting the Variety Health Clinic with their 11th Annual Hispanic Health Fair to be held at the Crossroads Mall site. To promote this event, 13,000 flyers in Spanish are been distributed to schools, day cares, clinics, small businesses, etc. The immunization coordinator at the Latino Community Development Agency will be running a PSA in Spanish at two local radio stations on April 21st. An article entitled “Vacunación un gesto de amor” will be published in the next edition of El Nacional, a local Spanish newspaper.
  

• News conference and in-store awareness campaign
  The news conference will host Walt Orenstein, recently retired director of the National Immunization Program for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as Dallas County Health and Human Services leaders and local pediatricians. The grocery-store based immunization awareness campaign will be held from April 19th-May 16th in 293 stores throughout the Dallas area. This event features point-of-purchase advertising in the diaper and baby food aisle to promote timely immunizations with the recommended shot schedule, a list of immunization clinics, and phone numbers to call for information about low- and no-cost immunizations.

  The Dallas Immunize Kids! Partnership is made up of more than 100 members representing service organizations, businesses and health and human service providers, including the Children's Medical Center Dallas.

• Immunization Roundup
  The Dallas County Health and Human Services will work with partners to offer free immunizations, registration for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), health check-ups, height and weight measurements, vision and hearing screenings, dental screenings, lead and TB screenings for children. The health fair will be held on April 17th at the Pierce Early Childhood School in Irving, Texas. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring their children’s shot records to the event and will be provided with health education materials. Community partners are students from the UT Southwestern Medical School and Baylor College of Dentistry, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Care Van, Children’s Medical Center Pediatricians, Irving Independent School District, City of Irving Public Health Services, and Immunize Kids: A Community Partnership.
     
• Health Check 2004
  All childhood immunizations will be available from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 24th. Parents need to bring their children’s shot records or school notifications. Saturday Shot Clinics are offered once per month; however, all childhood immunization will be offered at no cost on Saturday, April 24th only, in honor of NIIW! For regularly scheduled shot clinics, the normal cost is $10 for the child’s first visit and $5 for each additional visit, while Medicaid recipients receive their shots for free. The Dallas County Medical Society is the participating partner.
     
• Dallas County Health and Human Services is partnering with the Mexican Consulate to provide free immunizations on April 26th at the Mexican Consulate off of 2777 North Stemmons Freeway, # 1622.
    
• Dallas County Commissioner's Court Immunization Resolution
  On April 27th, the resolution will be read at the Dallas County Commissioner's Court in order to draw media attention for NIIW.
    
• In additional efforts to raise media attention, Dallas County Health and Human Services will be working with the Children's Medical Center of Dallas and Immunize Kids: A Dallas Area Partnership to hold a press conference on April 28th for NIIW.
     
• VFC Providers Recognition Luncheon
  A luncheon will be provided on April 28th to honor Dallas County Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers, of which will include training and information on Pediarix®.

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