Immunization Action Plan (IAP) Program ran a successful campaign to promote the vaccine for human papillomavirus to young people in the Norwalk area. As part of the Win/Win/Win initiative, IAP staff encouraged health care providers to discuss this anti-cancer vaccine with their teenage and preteen patients in Norwalk, Westport, or Wilton.
Patients who talked to their doctor about the HPV vaccine and/or received the vaccine at their pediatrician’s office could enter a drawing to win an iPad, and the 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. This year, a 12-year-old Westport resident won the iPad after speaking with her doctor about the HPV vaccine. Norwalk Community Health Center and TLC Pediatrics, both in Norwalk, won lunch for their staff members.
“The HPV vaccine can prevent several cancers in men and women,” explained Pam Bates, RN, BSN, Norwalk IAP Program Coordinator. “Boys and girls are recommended to start the vaccine series between 11 and 12 years of age for the best protection.”
This year, the Health Department received over 485 raffle entries, which means that over 485 pre-teens and teens talked to their doctors about the importance of being vaccinated against HPV or received the vaccine itself. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., causing over 33,000 cases of cancer each year. It is the primary cause of cervical cancer and contributes to many types of cancer in both men and women.
The Health Department’s IAP Program works with families, health care providers, and the community to ensure that area children and adults receive age-appropriate vaccines. For more information about the Health Department’s services for those seeking vaccines, visit our website at www.norwalkhealth.com.
Photo Caption: Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling joins Norwalk Health Department staff to draw the name of the young person who won an iPad from the Norwalk Health Department’s Immunization Action Plan (IAP) Program after speaking with her doctor about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The raffle for an iPad was part of IAP’s Win/Win/Win campaign to raise awareness about the recommendation for the HPV vaccine.