Women In Government Actions
Providing access to essential vaccines creates a healthier population and saves lives. Women In Government State Directors in Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota, Ohio and Arizona have developed initiatives to provide greater access to and the requirement of immunizations and vaccinations in children. Legislators in Indiana and Minnesota went on to pass legislation establishing an immunization and data registry. Furthermore, these legislators have worked for the addition of the Chicken Pox vaccination as a required immunization for school-age children. Members in Tennessee developed programs that guarantee immunizations for all children by two years of age. Arizona state legislators established legislation that requires the immunization of all children in childcare facilities.
Recent Events
January 2012
At Women In Government’s 18th Annual State Directors’ Conference Dr. Carolyn Bridges gave a presentation on her work as the Associate Director for Adult Immunizations at the National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. She spoke about her career in public health, which has included research on influenza vaccine effectiveness and vaccine coverage, development and implementation of the U.S. influenza prevention and control policy, influenza transmission and infection control guidance, and research and policy on zoonotic transmission of influenza between animals and people. This presentation included information on access to vaccines in the public health system, adult adherence to the recommended vaccination schedule, immunization coverage, and other related issues. She also discussed the new places where adults can get vaccines, such as retail locations including stores and pharmacies. To learn more, please view her presentation here.
November 2011
At Women In Government’s Second Annual Healthcare Summit , one segment featured the importance of vaccines as they relate to overall family health, with a focus on the public health perspective. It also provided information on addressing the disparities that sometimes prevent families from obtaining optimal vaccine treatments, such as lack of access or affordability. Dr. Jessie Wing, trained in internal and preventive medicine, is Deputy Director of the Immunization Services Division in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She spoke about her work and how vaccines are a larger part of public health.To learn more, please view her presentation here.
July 2011
At the 18th Annual Midewstern Regional Conference Women In Government featured the topic of influenza vaccines. Patsy Stinchfield, a nurse practitioner of pediatric disease/immunology, rheumatology for infection prevention and control, and vascular access at the Children's Immunization Project, was a featured speaker. She discussed the accessibility of influenza vaccines for schoolchildren, and her presentation is available here. She noted that though many people initially think it would be best to get a vaccine from a doctor, really, children should really get them wherever they can, and school is a great option. Diane Peterson, the Associate Director of Immunization Projects at the Immunization Action Coalition, also spoke about the risks of influenza and the demand for vaccinations. To view her presentation, please click here.
June 2011
At Women In Government's 14th Annual Western Regional Conference, Dr. Gregory Poland was again a featured speaker to discuss the importance of lifetime vaccinations. While families are likely to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for childhood vaccines, adults themselves are less likely to get vaccinated as recommended. This session discussed the need for life-long vaccines compliance, the importance of vaccines across the life spectrum, and the vital role legislators can play in supporting awareness and access.
Women In Government has featured the importance of Adult Vaccinations and lifetime vaccinations at several of our conferences. Gregory Poland, MD spoke on the topic at Women In Government's 17th Annual Midwestern Regional Conference in South Dakota, and at the First Annual Healcare Summit in Washington, DC.
Additional Resources
