NM Immunization Coalition

Excellent speakers and presentations, extensive media coverage, many awards, countless photos, flag sets, and ubiquitous black “Nuestros Niños” t-shirts—these are some of the memories of a very

successful National Infant Immunization Week/Vaccination Week in the Americas (NIIW/VWA) celebration.

New Mexico was honored this year to be the kickoff state for NIIW/VWA. Our state has improved its immunization rates more than any other state in the nation — in honor of this we showcased and celebrated our success, while still drawing a�ention to the need for continued improvement. Together with the New Mexico Department of Health, Border Health Office and Immunization Program, we planned a packed agenda for several days at the end of April.

Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Dr. Stephen Cochi, Director of the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were our main speakers and provided several opportunities across

In this issue...• National Infant Immunization Week events• Photo gallery• Shots for Tots update• Calendar of events for the New Mexico Immunization Coalition

the state to hear the latest on vaccine safety, new vaccines and national trends. In addition, several other speakers provided local, national and international perspectives to physicians, nurses, promotoras and public health workers.

Our kickoff events included tours of Ben Archer Health Center and First Step Pediatrics, a grand rounds luncheon sponsored by Memorial Medical Center, a press conference, a three-hour training on immunizations for Promotoras and an awards dinner at the Las Cruces Hilton. A�endance was excellent at all of our events, and press coverage was considerable.

At the NMIC Provider Awards Dinner, over 230 people a�ended to honor and recognize providers from New Mexico, Texas and Mexico (see page two for list of award winners). We were overjoyed to see so many providers achieving immunization rates of 90% or above. In addition, three immunization champions were honored for their extraordinary efforts to promote immunizations.

Excellent collaboration from the National Centers for Disease Control, the Pan American Health Organization and the US Mexico Border Health Commission made NIIW/VWA 2005 a truly international event. We’re also very appreciative to all our sponsors who helped make the events possible: Doña Ana County; GlaxoSmithKline; Lovelace Sandia Health System; Merck; Molina Healthcare; Presbyterian Healthcare Services; Sanofi Pasteur; and the United States Mexico Border Health Commission.

NewsSummer, 2005 Volume 1, No. 3

“Most improved” New Mexico kicks off NIIW/VWA festivities

MOST IMPROVED continued on next page

By Anna Levy, MPH, MBAExecutive Director, NMIC

We’re indebted to generous support from the Border Health Office, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Memorial Medical Center, The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, the Border Epidemiology and Environmental Health Center, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pan American Health Organization.

Page 2 New Mexico Immunization Coalition News

Honorary Chair:First Lady Barbara Richardson

Co-Chairs: Susan J. Eastman, MA, MPHNorman White, MD

Executive Director:Anna Levy, MPH, MBA

Participating Organizations:AARPAging and Long-Term Services Dept.Albuquerque Public SchoolsBlue Cross/Blue Shield of NMBorder Health Office/BEC/NMSUCenters for Disease ControlDona Ana Immunization CoalitionGlaxoSmithKline VaccinesGreater Albuquerque Immunization Network (GAIN)Indian Health ServiceLa Clinica de Familia Medical CenterLovelace Sandia Health SystemMerck Vaccine DivisionMolina Health PlanNM Academy of Family PhysiciansNM CYFDNM Department of HealthNM Immunization Advisory GroupNM Influenza Vaccine ConsortiumNM Human Services DepartmentNM Hospital and Health Systems NM Medical Review AssociationNM Medical Society/CPINM Nurses AssociationNM Pediatric SocietyNM Pharmaceutical AssociationNM Primary Care AssociationNM Public Health AssociationNM School Nurses AssociationNM State Dept. of EducationNM State PTAPresbyterian Healthcare ServicesRotary Clubs of New MexicoSanofi PasteurSanta Fe Immunization CoalitionSierra Co. Immunization CoalitionUniversity of New Mexico/Health Sciences CenterVilla Therese Catholic ClinicVoices for ChildrenWyeth Vaccines

NMICmembers

MOST IMPROVED continued from page 1

Healthcare providers all around New Mexico are stepping up to the plate to participate in this year’s Shots for Tots to Teens event on Au-gust 20 which is promising to be even more successful than last year. Some providers from different parts of the state may be participating

on different dates during the month of August. At last year’s event 70 providers participated, giving over 3,000 shots to 1,700 kids.

Watch for promotional ads on Channel 7 KOAT, with whom we are partnering again this year. The advertising will be aired during the two weeks prior to the event to help get the word out. With providers from all areas of our state opening their doors to be a part of this important effort, we will be working to ensure that no child suffers from a vaccine preventable disease because they did not receive age appropriate vaccinations. To access the online registration form go to: h�p://hsc.unm.edu/programs/nmimmunization/documents/registration_form.pdf or call Maggie June, NMIC staff, at 505-272-3032 for more information.

“Shots for Tots to Teens” helping to boost immunization rates

Albuquerque Indian Health Service Bebe Care, Albuquerque First Choice Community Health Care, North Valley, Abq. Presbyterian Northside Pediatrics, Albuquerque Parveen Pediatric Care, Albuquerque Pediatric Associates, Albuquerque Presbyterian Rio Rancho Medical Center Pediatrics Sandia IHS Health Clinic* UNM Family Health Westside, Abq. Jurgen Upplegger MD and Carolyn Thomas MD, Abq. Young Children’s Health Center, Abq.* Tohachi Health Center Zuni Indian Health Service Hospital Piñon Family Practice, Farmington Northern Navajo Medical Ctr., Shiprock Santa Ana Indian Health Service Santo Domingo Health Clinic* Los Alamos Children’s Clinic Health Ctrs. of Northern NM, Española La Familia Medical Center-Southside, Santa Fe Ben Archer Health Center, Hatch

First Step Pediatrics, Las Cruces Casa Alegre Pediatrics, Las Cruces Roberto Talamantes, MD, Las Cruces The Family Clinic, Silver City Gila Pediatrics, Silver City Alamogordo Pediatric Associates Allen Paul, MD, Alamogordo* Socorro Medical Associates BCA Medical Associates, Roswell Warren McKelvey MD, Roswell* Carlsbad Public Health Office Pediatric Health Services, Carlsbad White Mountain Medical, Ruidoso La Casa de Buena Salud, Portales* Provider in each Public Health District with most improved rate from 2003.

Immunization Champions• Melissa Dietz, CMA Hidalgo Medical Clinic, Silver City• Ken Campbell, Rotary Club of Santa Fe• Geri Nez, RN, FNP, DPHN, Indian Health Service, Gallup

NIIW award winners

New Mexico Immunization Coalition News Page 3

Images from the National Infant Immunization Week events April 29-30, 2005

Photo gallery

Photos courtesy of the New Mexico Border Health Commission and NMIC.

July 7/11, Shots for Tots planning session, 1pm7/18, Shots for Tots planning session7/21, NMIC Steering Commi�ee meeting, 2:30pm

August

8/1, Shots for Tots provider orientation in Las Cruces, Doña Ana County Public Health Office,noon8/8, Shots for Tots provider orientation in Albuquerque, N.M. Primary Care Assn., noon8/14-20, Shots for Tots volunteer efforts—manning phone lines8/18, NMIC Steering Commi�ee meeting, 2:30pm8/20, Shots for Tots to Teens event, around New Mexico8/26, NMIC full coalition meeting, location TBA

September

9/21, NMIC Steering Commi�ee meeting

October

10/20, NMIC Steering Commi�ee meeting

Page 4 New Mexico Immunization Coalition News

New Mexico Immunization CoalitionOffice of the Executive Vice President for Health SciencesMSC09 5300Health Sciences and Services BuildingAlbuquerque, New Mexico 87131

NM Immunization Coalition News ispublished quarterly. Please contact Maggie June at 505-272-3032 or via email at mjune@salud.unm.edu if you have any questions or have an item to submit for the newsle�er.

Calendar of upcoming events

First Lady Barbara Richardson receives an award from Deputy Surgeon General Dr.

Kenneth Moritsugu and National Immuniza-tion Program Director, Dr. Stephen Cochi, for New Mexico being the most improved

state for 2000-2004.