Public Health Alliance of CO Media Resources

Immunize for Good campaign features mobile web application to help parents track their child’s vaccinations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 11, 2011

DENVER--A new, free mobile web application called “Good to Go” helps parents track their children’s immunizations. The application is at immunizeforgood.com and is accessible from mobile phones with Internet access and computers. From the website on your mobile phone, click on the website’s vaccine schedule and the mobile website version is located at the bottom right of the screen. From any computer, click on the website’s “Good to Go Vaccine Schedule” icon and register to create a personalized immunization schedule.

The mobile web application is the latest addition to the Immunize for Good campaign launched in January by the Vaccine Advisory Committee of Colorado in partnership with the Colorado Immunization Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition.

The application delivers a condensed version of the CDC-recommended 0- to 6-year vaccine schedule and allows parents to create a personalized record tailored to each child's birth date. With the mobile web application, parents can review their child's vaccine schedule and track the vaccines their child has received.

The mobile web application also includes detailed information about each vaccine and the disease(s) it prevents, customized email reminders for each vaccine, and a progress bar that shows parents how they’re doing in their effort to keep their child protected from vaccine- preventable diseases. Parents also can print a list of their child’s current and recommended vaccines. The list includes a space for a physician’s signature so it can be used as proof of vaccination by school and child care officials.

Joni Reynolds, director of Public Health Programs for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said, “I am very appreciative of parents who take the time to make sure their children are fully protected against vaccine-preventable diseases, because I know how busy they are. When designing the mobile web application, we focused on how we could help these busy parents by making this tool as simple and intuitive as possible.”

Erin Suelmann, executive director of the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition, said, “The coalition is proud to be a partner in the Good to Go mobile web application campaign. Colorado is fortunate to have this tool to help parents more easily manage their children’s vaccinations.”

In addition to featuring the new Good to Go mobile web application, immunizeforgood.com offers accurate, up-to-date information about childhood vaccines and the diseases they prevent, recommended immunization schedules, and an animated video using simple, easy-to understand language to explain how vaccines work. The campaign also encourages parents to add their own video and written testimonials about why they choose to vaccinate.

CONTACT:
Lori Maldonado
Deputy Director, Communications
303-692-2028
lori.maldonado@dphe.state.co.us

Marianne Koshak to be named Acting Immunization Section Director

Immunization Partners, I'm pleased to announce that Marianne Koshak has been named Acting Immunization Section Director to take effect on Tuesday, July 5. Marianne is currently the Data Unit Manager in the Colorado Immunization Section and has been with the Section since 2005. I'm confident that Marianne has the knowledge and skills to lead during this transition period. If for any reason you need to contact Marianne, she can be reached by phone at 303-692-2353 or via email at Marianne.Koshak@state.co.us.

 Sincerely,

Joni Reynolds Public Health Director 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246 303-692-2363 joni.reynolds@state.co.us

New Directions for ED of Alliance Associate Member Organization

Special Announcement from CCIC Executive Director Lydia McCoy

Dear friends,

As Executive Director, it has been my great pleasure working with this Coalition; every day has involved learning from and connecting with such passionate people dedicated to children's health. As I began to consider new opportunities over the past months, the Board of Directors and I looked strategically at planning for the continued success of CCIC, and we are now ready to announce transition plans on the horizon.

After much preparation and discussion, the CCIC Board voted last week to hire Erin Suelmann, our current Deputy Director, as Acting Executive Director starting August 1st. I couldn't be more thrilled with the Board's decision and am excited to continue to be a part of this transition until the end of 2011. I feel so fortunate to have a Board who has thoughtfully and thoroughly considered how best to approach this transition, and to have an internal candidate with the vision and expertise necessary to lead our Coalition.

Beginning August 1st I will remain a part of CCIC as a part-time contractor engaged on specific projects and as a support to Erin as she takes on the Executive Director role. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at lydia.mccoy@childrenscolorado.org and you may also send your congratulations to Erin at erin.suelmann@childrenscolorado.org. Erin is honored and delighted for the opportunity to lead CCIC and continue working with all of you to keep Colorado kids healthy.

 I look forward to continuing to be a part of this organization's thriving community in the coming months. You are a tribute to the strength of this coalition, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.

 All my best!    

 

Lydia McCoy
Executive Director
Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition

Drug takebacks aim to prevent abuse, protect environment: Disposing of medications the right way

From The Nation's Health, American Public Health Association
March, 2011

These days, doctors can prescribe medications that can cure or treat a range of illnesses. But estimates say that one-third of prescription and over-the-counter medicines go unused or expire, creating questions on how to safely dispose of them.   Full story >>

Project RIZO Quarterly Update

Dear Local Public Health Partners:

I'm writing you today with an update on an important initiative we're working on at the Colorado Immunization Program. As you may recall, Colorado is one of 14 grantees building the infrastructure to bill payers for immunization services provided by local public health agencies (LPHA). I want to let you know that Project "RIZO", which stands for Reimbursement Immunization Opportunity, is now officially underway.

Over the course of 2011, you can expect to see periodic updates from me regarding our progress on Project RIZO. Third party billing for immunization services has become increasingly important, especially with the introduction of first dollar coverage for ACIP recommended vaccines, enacted by the Affordable Care Act.  Our goal is to make this a sustainable project and we are putting a great amount of energy into data collection that will help us assess revenue opportunity against direct costs. We have seen other states succeed with third party billing and it is with great excitement that we announce the list of 11 Colorado LPHAs participating in this pilot.

RIZO Pilot Participants: Baca, Denver, Elbert, Jefferson, Kit Carson, Larimer, Montezuma, Prowers, Pueblo, Summit, Weld

Many of you recognize that third party billing can be a very effective way to help support your immunization clinics through these tough economic times. Regardless of your involvement in Project RIZO, rest assured that the Colorado Immunization Program fully supports the idea of billing insurance carriers for immunization services you provide to their beneficiaries. 

Thank you for your continued interest in Project RIZO. 

Joni Reynolds, RN/CNS, MSN
Director, Immunization Section
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO  80246
Office:  (303) 692-2363
Cell: (303) 815-7507
Fax: (303) 691-6118
Email:  joni.reynolds@state.co.us 

Fear factor, cost drive down immunization rates

By Mikaila Ellis Fethke Altenbern

Irrational fears have reduced immunization rates. The new Health Report Card ranks Colorado 30th in nation with only 65 percent of young children fully vaccinated.  Read more...

Vaccination with ActHib and Prevnar temporarily suspended

The CDC and FDA have become aware that vaccination with ActHib and Prevnar has been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure in Japan, while four death reports are examined. You may have seen news stories regarding a vaccine safety concern.  Here are a couple of links to the stories:  

• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41943001
• http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/mar/07/as-japan-vaccines-stopped/

At this time we do not have any evidence of a vaccine safety concern here in the U.S. but wanted you to know.  The FDA and CDC continually monitor the safety of US-licensed vaccines. To date, physicians assessing vaccine safety at the FDA and CDC have not detected new safety concerns or unusual reporting patterns in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) for Hib or pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV7/PCV13) among children vaccinated in the United States.

The CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety of all vaccines, including Hib and PCV-7/13 vaccines.  The CDC and FDA are not suspending use of these or any other vaccines.

We here at the Colorado Immunization Program will continue to monitor the situation and let you know if any official guidance changes.  If you receive questions or concerns from providers, and would like additional support, please contact your regional Public Health nurse or call us directly at 303-692-2650.

Colorado Meningococcal Disease Video Campaign

Enter to win!

Bacterial meningococcal disease (which can cause bacterial meningitis and other problems) is a very serious and sometimes fatal disease.  This film contest is meant to increase awareness about this disease and methods of prevention. 

The first place winner will receive a $500 cash prize. The second place winner will receive a $250 cash prize.  The winning videos will remain on YouTube and may be featured on broadcast TV, websites of Colorado universities and colleges, websites of Colorado primary and secondary schools, health- related organizations.  The winners may be invited to press events and/or asked to appear in future contest promotional videos. The first ten videos to be submitted will receive a Chick-fil-a gift card.

Please help us create a video that is informative and entertaining!  Send in your entry today!

Visit http://www.childrensimmunization.org/videocontest for complete details!

School Nurses: The "Hidden System of Health Care"

For more than a century, school nurses have played a critical role in keeping U.S. schoolchildren healthy. Their duties go far beyond tending to recess scrapes and bruises. They deal with students’ chronic health conditions, life-threatening allergy and asthma events and epidemics of various sorts; they connect students to substance-abuse treatment, mental, behavioral and reproductive health services; they screen for vision, hearing and other problems that might impair learning; they ensure immunization compliance and administer first aid; and more. In short, school nurses provide care that many children would not otherwise receive, and greatly reduce the overall cost of care because they are able to intercept and address problems before they become severe and costly.

Nurses also play an important educational role. As Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has observed, “School nurses play a vital role in making sure children are healthy and ready to learn.” Read more...

State Health Officials Recommend Vaccinations Against Meningitis

DENVER – Health officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Tuesday stressed the importance of getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease, commonly referred to as meningitis, in light of the current outbreak of this deadly disease in Fort Collins.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices routinely recommends meningococcal vaccine for all people at their 11- or 12-year-old checkup. The committee recommends routine vaccination against meningitis for

- all previously unvaccinated adolescents ages 11 through 18 years;

- all previously unvaccinated college freshmen who will be living in dormitories;

- all individuals ages 2 years and older with anatomic or functional asplenia;

- all individuals ages 2 years and older anticipating travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia;

- any individual working as a microbiologist with routine exposure to isolates of 

N. meningitides;

- military recruits; and

- any other individual wishing to decrease his or her risk for meningitis.

“Vaccination is the best strategy to prevent meningitis. Good personal hygiene practices, such as covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and washing your hands, also is important,” said Joni Reynolds, director of the Colorado Immunization Program at the state health department. READ MORE...