Immunize Colorado is seeking an experienced program manager to spearhead Immunize Colorado’s equity initiatives, specifically the Colorado Vaccine Equity Taskforce (CVET). The Vaccine Equity Program Manager will facilitate and lead the Colorado Vaccine Equity Taskforce (CVET) and Immunize Colorado’s other equity-based programs. The Manager will be responsible for leveraging the voices and expertise of CVET members and other key stakeholders to develop and implement a statewide strategic plan to uplift vaccine outreach and engagement programs and activities. The Manager will utilize research data, needs assessments, and stakeholder engagement strategies to facilitate advancement of high impact goals and objectives to improve access to and acceptance of vaccines within BIPOC and other marginalized communities.
Immunize Colorado Attends NCICP; Julissa Soto and Dr. Leisha Andersen Win NCICP Awards
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 Announces 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
Immunize Colorado is pleased to announce the release of our 2022-2025 strategic plan. Every three years, Immunize Colorado identifies areas of focus that will most effectively advance our mission and support our core programming areas: public policy, community outreach and awareness, health care provider education, coalition building, immunization services and data translation. Immunize Colorado continuously works to assess our success in meeting our goals by measuring data and outcomes.
Immunize Colorado Partners with Community Influencers to Promote Vaccines
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.
Providers: Order the NEW Childhood and Adult Vaccine Reminder Cards for Your Practice
These reminder cards, created in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), are a tool that can be used by healthcare professionals to help remind parents which vaccines their child needs, and remind adults which vaccines they need. The card can folded, taped, and mailed to patients, or hand-delivered at a wellness exam. The childhood card includes all recommended childhood and adolescent vaccines, and the adult card includes all recommended adult vaccines. The cards are both available in English and Spanish.
Now Hiring! 2022-23 CO-mmunity Corps VISTA Positions
Immunize Colorado is now hiring for Immunization Education & Outreach Coordinator positions as part of the 2022/23 CO-mmunity Corps. The CO-mmunity Corps is Immunize Colorado’s AmeriCorps VISTA program. The program places ten full-time VISTA members at local public health organizations throughout the state. These members build the capacity of their host site by developing and implementing local immunization activities that promote education and access to vaccines and primary care services in their communities.
Colorado Minors Can Now Access Some Vaccines on Their Own
In 2021 Senate Bill 21-016: Protecting Preventive Health Coverage was passed into law. The law allows minors to consent to certain vaccines that protect against common and sometimes dangerous infections. Parental or legal guardian approval is now not required for people under age 18 to obtain the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines during a healthcare visit that includes the discussion of reproductive health.
On May 10, Immunize Colorado hosted a webinar during which Jack Teter, the Regional Director of Government Affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, discussed the new law and its implications. The webinar also featured an overview of the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado and its work to expand access to the HPV vaccine across Colorado.
Additionally, to help parents, youth, and healthcare providers understand the new law and their role in implementing it, Immunize Colorado, Denver Health and the Alliance for HPV Free Colorado created a fact sheet, available in English and Spanish.
CDPHE Announces Updated Recommendation for Hepatitis B Vaccination for Adults 19-59
On April 1, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated recommendations for universal hepatitis B vaccination in adults aged 19-59 years. The recommendation removes the risk factor assessment previously in place for adults in this age group. A universal recommendation will simplify the hepatitis B recommendation for both vaccine recipients and clinicians, with the hope to increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage and decrease hepatitis B infection.
Read the Mid-Year CO-mmunity Corps Newsletter
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.
Alliance for HPV Free Colorado Launches Paid Media Campaign
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.