Adolescent Immunization Campaign a Win/Win/Win

Health Department’s Immunization Action Plan Program Promotes Education for Pre-Teens and Teens on the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine

The Norwalk Health Department’s 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 16-year-old Norwalk resident won the iPad after speaking with her doctor about the HPV vaccine. Willows Pediatric Group in Westport and East Avenue Pediatrics in Norwalk won lunch for their staff members.

This year, the Health Department received over 790 raffle entries, which means that over 790 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 30,000 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 HPV vaccine can prevent several cancers in men and women,” explained Pam Bates, RN, BSN, Norwalk IAP Coordinator. “Boys and girls are recommended to start the vaccine series between 11 and 12 years of age for the best protection.”

The Health Department’s (IAP) 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.