The coalition’s membership includes both private and public agencies, physicians, business leaders, and concerned citizens working together to protect infants through adults against vaccine-preventable diseases. The coalition meets every month and the ultimate goal is to achieve and maintain a 90% age-appropriate immunization rate by 2010. This Coalition has been continuously active for ten years, which demonstrates strong leadership and commitment. Many members have come and gone, but Jeanie has remained a faithful leader. The United Way has also been the Coalition’s Fiscal agent over the years as well as providing clerical support through Helen Lal, Administrative Assistant.

The coalition participates in education to parents, health care providers and the community on the vital importance of timely immunizations. In addition, the coalition provides assistance to health care providers in reducing barriers and missed opportunities for giving immunizations and actively collaborates on any activity that will help achieve the goal by working as one group for a greater impact.

The coalition participates and organizes many community events and has completed many projects over the years. The coalition assesses and evaluates past activities and establishes goals for future activities on a yearly basis.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A donated immunization van
• Underserved low income neighborhoods were identified, then local service club members and city personnel were contacted to help provide locations to administer immunizations on a regular schedule
• Coalition members encouraged Doctors Medical Center (the largest birthing hospital in the county) to initiate the “Baby Track” Program, and is now fully established as an on-going staff responsibility
• Mock measles and chicken pox events were organized and extensively covered by the media
• Activities surrounding National Immunization Week and California’s Toddler Immunization Month have been enhanced and strengthened every year using various venues such as newspaper inserts, grocery bag ads, Raleys store event calendar, WIC, childcare centers, pharmacy distribution of brochures, movie theater ads, cable TV ads, Spanish TV ads, radio PSAs, and “Izzy the Bear” events
• Extensive educational information has been provided to the public on the hepatitis vaccine and chicken pox requirements
• Annual “Thank You Basket” program was established in 2001 for all providers that participate in the county immunization registry, RIDE
• Organized the first Medical Assistant Training Workshop in 2003 that was designed to educate MA’s on storage and handling of vaccines, as well as correct administration of vaccines to babies and young children. This workshop was so successful and needed, the coalition organized the next 2 workshops in 2004 and 2005 and is now working on the 2006 workshop being held in May

The three founding members of this coalition are still active, they are:

• Jeanie Miller, Executive Vice President/United Way
• Nancy Bancroft, PHN, Stanislaus County Health Services Agency-Immunization Program
• Rose Ann Peterson, PHN, Stanislaus County Health Services Agency-CHDP Program (part-time)

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