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Louisiana health department leads statewide partner flu efforts
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Influenza vaccination coverage and awareness efforts are already underway in Louisiana for the 2016–2017 flu season with a statewide fall kick-off campaign. Dr. Frank Welch, Medical Director at the Louisiana Department of Health, is leading efforts with regional medical directors and other partners to promote flu vaccination for underserved communities. Promotional efforts include:
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Hosting vaccination promotion events
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Encouraging health care workers to get vaccinated
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Spotlighting the role of pharmacists as vaccinators and educators
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Using traditional and social media during events to promote annual flu vaccination
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Holding emergency preparedness exercises that have included seasonal flu vaccines
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The Louisiana Department of Health joins a strong network of NIVDP grassroots partners across Louisiana. The New Orleans Health Department has been a partner since 2011.
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NIVDP partners in Louisiana’s Hispanic communities include:
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NO/AIDS Task Force – New Orleans
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Verbo Church – Kenner
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Jefferson Physicians’ Foundation – Metairie
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Mexican and Honduran consulates – New Orleans
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NIVDP partners in Louisiana’s African American communities include:
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100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Ltd. – Baton Rouge
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Louisiana Center for Health Equity – Baton Rouge
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Webster Parish Community Action – Minden
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Grambling State University – Grambling
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Connect with Your Local Health Department
Is your organization interested in collaborating with a local health department? Start with these steps:
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Los Angeles health department engages Hispanic communities
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 The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), an NIVDP partner since 2012, encourages members of Hispanic communities to get annual flu vaccinations through cultivating community partnerships and producing public health resources designed for Hispanic audiences.
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Sharing messages through trusted leaders is an important strategy to reach Hispanic communities, and Los Angeles County DPH has diligently engaged trusted leaders in predominantly Hispanic communities, like East Los Angeles, to share flu information. These leaders include organizations like White Memorial Medical Center; the county's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program; and Resurrection Parish.
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Another outreach strategy is providing Spanish and other non-English materials that educate people about the benefits of flu immunization. Los Angeles County DPH shares Spanish language flu resources and messages through social media, traditional media, community events, and on their flu vaccination program website.
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Our collaboration with the NIVDP helps the Los Angeles County Immunization Program reach a large audience of Angelenos and educates them about the health benefits of the flu vaccine. We identify trusted organizations and messengers in the community and ensure that each health message is accurate, timely, and culturally sensitive.
—Dr. Franklin D. Pratt, Los Angeles County Immunization Program Director
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Find Partners in Los Angeles and Beyond
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Chicago health department and partners create a successful model with Vaccinate Illinois Week
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Vaccinate Illinois Week is a state-wide flu vaccination campaign launched by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) in 2011. This week is a locally branded version of National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), which is a national awareness week that occurs annually in December. Each year, Vaccinate Illinois Week results in thousands of Chicago residents getting vaccinated. Since 2012, CDPH and NIVDP partners have collaborated to promote flu vaccination among Hispanic and African American communities during Vaccinate Illinois Week.
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In 2013, the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit recognized CDPH with the National Immunization Community Campaign Award for the department’s efforts to address flu vaccination health disparities. Other state public health departments, including Texas Department of State Health Services and Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, have recognized the success of Vaccinate Illinois Week and implemented similar models in their own states.
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The NIVDP has supported Chicago’s campaign by engaging African American and Hispanic partners, including Walgreens and EverThrive Illinois. The health department’s statewide campaign has influenced how other health jurisdictions across the country promote flu vaccination.
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NIVDP partners who collaborate with CDPH for Vaccinate Illinois Week include:
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Illinois Academy of Family Physicians
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Blue Cross/Blue Shield
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American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Chapter
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EverThrive Illinois
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Walgreens |
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Consulates of Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador
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Community clinics, including Humboldt Park Family Health Center and the Center on Halsted
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For the past 4 years, these partners have engaged in a year-long effort to plan and coordinate activities, such as health fairs with flu vaccinations, held during Vaccinate Illinois Week.
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"We believe it is important to support our community partners and recognize their successes," said Donna Feaster, R.N., B.S.N., Adult Immunization Program Coordinator, Chicago Department of Public Health Immunization Program.
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Upcoming Events
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Across the country, NIVDP partners are preparing for the 2016–17 flu season. Join our national efforts this year.
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National Influenza Vaccinations Week (NIVW) is December 4-10
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