NIIW/TIM: I Choose to Stay on Track for a Lifetime of Health!

The 2009 National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) and Toddler Immunization Month (TIM) activities in California will draw on the i choose theme with this year’s slogan “I choose to stay on track for a lifetime of health.” NIIW kicks off the week of April 25 – May 2; TIM continues throughout the month of May. These back-to-back observances provide an opportunity for hosting immunization-related activities, engaging communities, and attracting local media attention.

Coalitions, health departments, and stakeholders are encouraged to use NIIW/TIM as a springboard to promote childhood immunizations. In keeping with this year’s theme, local organizations will be able to plan i choose photo activities and collect testimonials from individuals who choose to immunize.

All relevant materials and resources are available now in an online campaign kit to assist with planning, promoting, and implementing successful NIIW/TIM activities. To download the campaign kit, go to www.immunizeca.org. For additional information, contact Jenny.Bailey@cdph.ca.gov.

Preteen Vaccine Week Celebrations
The Immunization Branch joined with local health departments to promote Preteen Vaccine Week (PVW) during January 18-24, 2009. To reach health care settings serving preteens, the Branch notified 155 school-based health centers across the state about the importance of adolescent immunization and the availability of promotional resources at their local health departments. With the help of the California Department of Education (CDE), the Immunization Branch also provided middle schools statewide with lessons about germs, vaccines, and the spread of disease in their classrooms.

In collaboration with the California Immunization Coalition (CIC), the Branch reached out to parents of preteens by publishing a blog on the Preteen Alliance website, a Bay Area organization that promotes emotional and behavioral health for preteens.

Local Health Departments across the state worked with schools to organize special activities to reach students for PVW, including immunization clinics, health education, and poster and video contests. Other activities included informing parents about essential adolescent immunizations, promoting the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) to health care providers, and creating county proclamations and press releases about PVW. For more information on promoting preteen immunizations throughout the year, contact Rebeca.Boyte@cdph.ca.gov.