History of Stanislaus County Immunization Coalition
The
Stanislaus County Immunization Coalition was formed through a partnership
between Stanislaus County Public Health and the United Way in April 1996.
Jeanie Miller, Executive Vice President of the United Way, has played a
very important role in the success of the coalition. Despite her demanding
schedule at the United Way with fund raising activities and other duties,
she has always managed to make herself available for meetings and events.
Her passion and dedication to the health of our community is extraordinary.
The coalition’s membership includes both private and public agencies,
physicians, business leaders, and concerned citizens working together
to protect infants through adults against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The coalition meets every month and the ultimate goal is to achieve and
maintain a 90% age-appropriate immunization rate by 2010. This Coalition
has been continuously active for ten years, which demonstrates strong
leadership and commitment. Many members have come and gone, but Jeanie
has remained a faithful leader. The United Way has also been the Coalition’s
Fiscal agent over the years as well as providing clerical support through
Helen Lal, Administrative Assistant.
The coalition participates in education to parents, health care providers
and the community on the vital importance of timely immunizations. In
addition, the coalition provides assistance to health care providers in
reducing barriers and missed opportunities for giving immunizations and
actively collaborates on any activity that will help achieve the goal
by working as one group for a greater impact.
The coalition participates and organizes many community events and has
completed many projects over the years. The coalition assesses and evaluates
past activities and establishes goals for future activities on a yearly
basis.
HIGHLIGHTS
- A donated immunization van
- Underserved low income neighborhoods were identified, then local service
club members and city personnel were contacted to help provide locations
to administer immunizations on a regular schedule
- Coalition members encouraged Doctors Medical Center (the largest birthing
hospital in the county) to initiate the “Baby Track” Program,
and is now fully established as an on-going staff responsibility
- Mock measles and chicken pox events were organized and extensively
covered by the media
- Activities surrounding National Immunization Week and California’s
Toddler Immunization Month have been enhanced and strengthened every
year using various venues such as newspaper inserts, grocery bag ads,
Raleys store event calendar, WIC, childcare centers, pharmacy distribution
of brochures, movie theater ads, cable TV ads, Spanish TV ads, radio
PSAs, and “Izzy the Bear” events
- Extensive educational information has been provided to the public
on the hepatitis vaccine and chicken pox requirements
- Annual “Thank You Basket” program was established in 2001
for all providers that participate in the county immunization registry,
RIDE
- Organized the first Medical Assistant Training Workshop in 2003 that
was designed to educate MA’s on storage and handling of vaccines,
as well as correct administration of vaccines to babies and young children.
This workshop was so successful and needed, the coalition organized
the next 2 workshops in 2004 and 2005 and is now working on the 2006
workshop being held in May
The three founding members of this coalition are still active, they are:
- Jeanie Miller, Executive Vice President/United
Way
- Nancy Bancroft, PHN, Stanislaus County Health
Services Agency-Immunization Program
- Rose Ann Peterson, PHN, Stanislaus County
Health Services Agency-CHDP Program (part-time)
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