ATTENTION PARENTS
For information about the vaccinations required for children in school in 2011/2012,
click here.
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MORE NEWSLETTERS
from the Immunization Action Coalition:
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Coalition Activities
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School Catch-Up Vaccination Clinics
Work continued on the School Catch-Up programs during November and December 2011. There has been great progress in
many school districts making sure that all students are current with the required vaccines. School health mandates
now require adolescents to have the protection against diseases such as Meningitis, Pertussis, Tetanus, Chickenpox,
Hepatitis, Measles and Mumps. Influenza protection is a recommendation for all ages. The catch-up school clinics
during the fall semesters promoted our theme: Don't Wait — Vaccinate!
Bucks County Pandemic Flu Drill
The Sixth Annual Bucks County Pandemic Flu Drill was held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Three different regions were identified for distributing the walk-in vaccinations. In Upper Bucks County, the
drill was held at the Pennridge North Middle School; the Central Bucks High School West was utilitized in Central
Bucks County; and the Maple Point Middle School served Lower Bucks County residents. About 3,500 community
members benefited from this initiative.
Adult Day Care Health Initiatives
During September and October 2011, Senior Care & Adult Day Care health initiatives were held in Bristol,
Warrington, and Huntingdon Valley. Additionally, as part of the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) initiatives,
the Department of Health returned to the original practice of bringing services to the community locations by
visiting over fifteen Senior Centers to offer immunizations for this vulnerable population. It was very rewarding
for all involved to return to the center for this community outreach program. Amanda Schultz, Health Promotion
Coordinator from the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging, and Janice L. Cressman (née Anastasi) RN, BSN, Immunization
Coordinator from the Bucks County Department of Health, coordinated the effort that provided Influenza/Tdap/Pneumo
clinics on site at the senior centers.
Tdap Vaccine Clinic (September 2011)
The Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps conducted a Tdap vaccine clinic on September 17th at the Bucks County
Department of Health's Levittown office. The medical volunteers did an excellent job of vaccinating 64 people.
The non-medical volunteers coordinated the waiting areas to ensure proper patient registration and movement
through the clinic. Program Coordinator Suzanne Hecker said, "I am extremely pleased with the service
the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have provided to our community by conducting this Tdap
vaccination clinic. Protecting ourselves and our loved ones against communicable diseases is extremely important.
Providing the Tdap vaccination to Bucks County residents is one way the Bucks County Medical Reserve Corps can
contribute to protecting our communities. We hope to continue such efforts in the future."
Philadelphia Phillies Game (August 2011)
On August 17th, when The Philadelphia Phillies hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park, the Immunization
Coalition from Southeastern Pennsylvania was present in large numbers sporting specially made T-shirts promoting the
evening as Adult Immunization Awareness Night. Highlights of the event included our own Ann Gordon throwing out the
first pitch prior to the game, a professionally produced video shown on screen promoting the importance and necessity
of adult immunization, and several prime public announcements during the evening.
Shingles Clinic (July 2011)
A Shingles Clinic was conducted in partnership with BARC Developmental Services and MH/MR (Mental Health and Mental
Retardation Program Administrators Association of Pennsylvania) to provide needed services to a vulnerable population.
The Bucks County Immunization Coalition team held clinics in both the Quakertown and Warminster sites. Plans were
made to return in the Fall for influenza and Tdap protection as well.
Pennsylvania Immunization Conference (June 2011)
Team members of the Bucks County Immunization Coalition attended the 17th Annual Pennsylvania Immunization Conference
held June 30 at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center Hotel. This year’s conference was organized by the PA
Department of Health, Division of Immunizations and the PA Immunization Coalition. The conference brings immunization
partners together to share information and discuss current issues for the purpose of improving immunization rates in PA.
Topics included a discussion of current immunization issues and trends, as well as up-to-date information on immunizations
across the lifespan. Donna Weaver, RN, MN, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention delivered the Keynote Address.
Protecting our Community (May 2011)
All over Bucks County, a campaign to prevent whooping cough and provide education and vaccinations to families, medical
providers, local businesses has been taking place. Bucks County Department of Health and the Bucks County Immunization
Coalition have partnered with our local hospitals to reach hundreds of people with the message "Don't let Whooping
Cough Whoop You!" To date, we have immunized over 1,129 people against Pertussis this year throughout Bucks County
Health Department offices and outreach clinics.
Baby Shower Event (April 27, 2011)
Bee Diddy greeted many "Moms-to-Be" at the BCDH Doylestown office as they arrived at a special "Baby Shower
Event" celebrating National Infant Immunization Week. This was an initiative designed to raise awareness about the
importance of Childhood Immunizations before the age of 2. This activity was sponsored by the Bucks County Immunization
Coalition in partnership with Women, Infants and Children program (WIC). Presentations on vaccine preventable diseases, the
importance of vaccinations and infant safety, care, and development were topics highlighted. Educational handouts and
giveaways were provided for all those attending.
National Infant Immunization Week (April 23-30, 2011)
On April 20th at the Special Equestrian Center, the Bucks County Commissioners recognized NIIW with a proclamation calling
on our community to join together and celebrate the wonderful health of our children due to vaccination and the prevention
of 14 vaccine preventable diseases. National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) has served as a call to parents, caregivers,
and healthcare providers to participate in activities and recognition events to increase the awareness of immunizing children
before their second birthday. Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against
serious diseases. Bee Diddy and the Bee Keeper proudly accepted the proclamation for BCDH and BCIC.
Quakertown Youth Baseball Opening Day (April 9, 2011)
Bee Diddy helped to kick off the opening day ceremonies at Quakertown Park. The BCIC sponsored a pony baseball team this
year and was able to promote the immunization theme, "Cover Your Bases, Get Immunized" on our team's T-shirts.
This theme was echoed on baseball pins and a poster board displayed in center field. Immunization handouts, baseball pins,
and Bee Pens were distributed to the fans.
Meningococcal Education Program (April 7th, 2011)
Dr. Krilov
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Epidemiology and Burden of Meningococcal Disease; Trends in Adolescent Immunization. An evening to remember as
meningitis advocate Nicholas Springer teamed up with Dr. Leonard Krilov for an awe-inspiring meningitis education program
presented to an audience of Bucks County School Nurses held at the Spring Mill Country Club in Ivyland, PA. Not a dry eye to
behold as Nick shared his personal story about his heroic battle with meningitis. He challenged all the nurses to spread the
word about the importance of vaccination and prevention of meningitis disease in the adolescents and young adults of our
community.
School Catch-Up Programs
School Catch-up programs are taking place at many school districts, assisting families to get their children up-to-date with
the vaccines required for 2011/2012 school year. Congratulations to the following schools already participating in these
important school catch-up clinics in preparation for the new school law changes: Bristol-Boro Junior and Senior High School;
Bristol Township School District; Morrisville School District 4th-12th grades; Neshaminy High School; Palisades Middle and
High School; Pennridge Elementary, Middle and High Schools; Quakertown Middle School, Freshman Center and High School. Many
thanks for all the hard work that went into making these school clinics successful so our adolescents have the protection
against diseases such as Influenza, Meningitis, Pertussis, Tetanus, Chickenpox, Hepatitis, Measles and Mumps.
Plans are underway to provide more catch-up school clinics during the 2011/2012 fall and spring semesters.
Don't Wait — Vaccinate!
School Immunizations
2011/2012 School Law changes have been bringing many parents and students into the BCDH immunization clinics to get their
immunizations updated. Two doses of Varicella are now required for all students attending all grades, Kindergarten through
12th grade. For all students entering 7th grade, one dose of Tdap and one dose of Meningococcal are now required.
The important message is "Vaccinate Before you Graduate" as the BCIC partners with the Bucks County School
Nurses throughout our 13 School Districts. With the help of the students attending the Intermediate Unit classes at Quakertown
and Central Bucks schools, the students attending the "MOST" program hosted by Pennsbury school district, and the
RSVP volunteers, we were able to reach 15,000 families throughout the county with vital information about what vaccines their
adolescents need to be protected.
National Immunization Conference: March 28-31, 2011
Ann Gordon, one of our nurses from Bucks County Immunization Coalition (BCIC), presented a workshop at the National
Immunization Conference (NIC) held in Washington, DC. Her presentation, titled
Innovative Ways of Immunization Promotion,
focused on promoting immunization awareness through national sporting events partnering with the Philadelphia
Phillies and the Philadelphia Flyers. BCIC and regional coalitions, known as SEPA (Southeast Pennsylvania Coalitions)
worked together to promote immunization awareness in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas. "Many hands make light
work" describes the benefits of coalitions collaborating to successfully promote a large scale immunization event
reaching a captive audience of more than 40,000 spectators. Our Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition hosted an immunization
display with our Bee Diddy mascot greeting the conference attendees and handing out Bee Bags with
tips on partnering with local sports teams.
Shingles Protection (January/February 2011)
Shingles Protection was provided to many seniors at risk for the shingles disease as Bucks County DOH and BCIC partnered
with the Beelong Adult Day Care facilities to educate families about the prevention of shingles disease and to offer the
Zoster vaccination for their senior family members. This special outreach was provided by the PADOH and a grant funded
project. This was also a great opportunity for the Holy Family Nursing student program to assist with this immunization
outreach project and experience a wonderful relationship with the Beelong Senior community. Other shingles outreach
projects are planned for the future with the BARC senior members.
National Cervical Cancer Prevention Month (January 2011)
FACT: Each day in the United States, 30 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer (about 11,000 women per year).
An exciting campaign providing HPV education and vaccinations were some of the activities planned in celebration of National
Cervical Cancer Month. Delaware Valley College and Bucks County Community College partnered with the Bucks County DOH and the
Bucks County Immunization Coalition to increase awareness about the serious diseases caused by the Human Papillomavirus such
as cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV vaccinations were offered at no cost thanks to a special grant funded program
provided by the PADOH. Plans are to continue offering vaccinations on campuses and help students receive protection against
other diseases such as Pertussis (Whooping cough), Meningitis, Pneumonia and Influenza.
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Past Coalition Activities:
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