Danbury’s Immunization Action Plan Program Promotes Education for Pre-Teens and Teens on 3 Life Saving Vaccines
DANBURY, C.T. — The Danbury Health and Human Services team partnered with the Norwalk Health Department’s Norwalk/Danbury Immunization Action Plan (IAP) Program to run a successful campaign to promote three important vaccinations to young people in the Danbury area. As part of the Win/Win/Win with the BIG 3 initiative, IAP staff encouraged health care providers to discuss three vaccinations with their teenage and pre-teen clients: the anti-cancer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and two vaccines to prevent meningitis: meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B.
Patients who spoke to their health care providers in Danbury, Ridgefield, Brookfield, and Newtown about any of these three vaccines could enter a drawing to win an iPad®, and the medical offices that submitted the most entries won a free lunch for their staff. The campaign was a Win/Win/Win: win immunity for children and the community, win an iPad, and win lunch for health staff. A 16-year-old Danbury resident won the iPad® after speaking with his doctor about the HPV and both meningococcal vaccines. CIFC Health/Pediatrics and Danbury Health and Human Services won lunch for their staff members.
“These three vaccines are safe, effective and offer protection from serious illnesses that can lead to cancers, long-term disabilities and even death” explained Pam Bates, RN, BSN, Norwalk/Danbury IAP Program Coordinator. “It is very important for pre-teens and teens to discuss these life-saving vaccines with their health care providers as they offer the best defense when they are given at the recommended ages.”
The Norwalk/Danbury IAP Program based at Norwalk Health Department works with families, health care providers, Danbury Health Department, Danbury Public Schools including the school-based health centers, and the community to ensure that area children and adults receive age-appropriate vaccines.