Several members of the Immunize Colorado team traveled to Minneapolis this month for the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP) co-sponsored by Immunize.org and Voices for Vaccines. The conference focused on fostering equity, building partnerships, and promoting vaccine confidence. Our team had a wonderful time learning and making connections; takeaways from the conference are sure to enhance our work to protect Colorado families, schools, and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and broaden our network across the state.

Additionally, the 2022 NCICP Awards were presented during the conference, and two of these prestigious awards went to Colorado vaccine champions! The 2022 Recognition Awards Equity in Immunization award was given to Julissa Soto. Julissa has been a force for vaccine equity in Colorado and works tirelessly to make sure the Latino community stays healthy through vaccination for COVID-19 and other routine immunizations. The 2022 Excellence in Immunization Collaboration award was given to Dr. Leisha Andersen of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Chapter. Dr. Andersen has been an instrumental health champion across Colorado, advocating for routine and COVID-19 vaccination in the pediatric population. We’re proud to congratulate Julissa and Dr. Andersen on their awards and thank them for their continued efforts to keep Colorado communities healthy through immunization!

Finally, during NCICP, Julissa Soto along with Immunize Colorado’s program director, Sarah Waraniak, presented on Julissa’s “Vaccine Sundays” initiative and engaging Hispanic and Latino communities around COVID-19 vaccines in Colorado. Sarah also presented with Julissa and folks from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Colorado Access in a session titled, “Reducing Dispanirty and Better Delivery Through Innovation.”

Immunize Colorado is excited to partner with African Youth Advocate (AYA) to promote access and education to routine immunizations in the Black, African, and Immigrant communities in the Denver Metro area. AYA hosts community events that celebrate diversity and culture in different populations through food, music, and games. Immunize Colorado will work with them to offer vaccines at these events. This ongoing partnership will kick off with a large event in early August focused on the Ghanian community. 

Outside of Denver Metro, we have also partnered with Reverend Zelna Joseph, founder of the S/HE Identity, a faith-based nonprofit based in Colorado Springs that offers services to families who have been societally marginalized. Zelna is a trusted faith leader in the African American community in Colorado Springs, and will be planning routine immunization clinics in partnership with churches and faith communities starting in late summer.

We are thrilled to work with these wonderful partners, and look forward to elevating their work through lasting partnerships.

For inquiries about this work, please contact Sarah at Sarah.Waraniak@childrenscolorado.org.

Immunize Colorado has released a newsletter detailing the successes of six AmeriCorps VISTA members placed at local public health departments across Colorado as part of the organization’s CO-mmunity Corps program. These members help build the capacity of their host sites by developing and implementing local activities which promote education about and access to vaccinations and primary care services.

On February 21st, the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado launched a statewide paid media campaign encouraging parents and caregivers of adolescents aged 9-17 to talk to their child’s healthcare provider about the cancer-preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The campaign website includes parent and physician testimonials, answers to frequently asked questions about the HPV vaccine, and a list of other trusted resources for vaccine information. The campaign is supported by the Cancer, Cardiovascular and Chronic Pulmonary Disease Grants Program and is part of a multidisciplinary approach to increase HPV vaccine completion for 9-17 year olds in 15 Colorado counties. 

For more information and inquiries, please contact Emily Clancy, Communications Director, at Emily.Clancy@childrenscolorado.org.

Attention all BIPOC community leaders, health equity advocates, and routine immunization champions! Immunize Colorado has been granted an opportunity by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement education and access interventions in five locations throughout the state of Colorado, with the goal of increasing routine and childhood immunization rates within BIPOC communities in those areas at the end of a 3-year grant period. To do this, Immunize Colorado is working to identify community leaders within the Latinx, Black, and Tribal communities to serve as “influencers” in the San Luis Valley, Fort Morgan, Aurora, Denver, and Colorado Springs who would be willing to facilitate these interventions in their community. Influencers are particularly needed in the San Luis Valley, Fort Morgan, Aurora, and Denver, in the Black and Tribal communities. The ideal candidate will have excellent rapport within their community, will be willing to assist in the design of interventions, and will have the availability and skills necessary to facilitate interventions, which could range from small conversation circles to large immunization clinics. Immunize Colorado will work within communities to design interventions based on community input, and will provide technical support for the facilitation and evaluation of these interventions.  

Number of interventions, hours, and location will depend upon availability, qualifications, and results from a community needs assessment. This will be a paid position, with a contract negotiable, dependent upon these factors. Immunize Colorado will also offer networking, professional development, and training opportunities.

Please contact Sarah Waraniak at sarah.waraniak@childrenscolorado.org if you or someone you know might be interested!