ADHS
News Release:
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| Release: |
Whooping Cough in Arizona; Mumps in the Midwest – Recent Outbreaks Show the Importance of Vaccinations |
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Date: |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
April 18, 2006 |
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| Contact: |
Mary Ehlert, ADHS Public Information, (602) 364-1201; cell (602) 721-0532 |
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Arizona is the “Spotlight State” for National Infant Immunization Week, April 22-29
Just last year, Arizona experienced a pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic with 959 cases. Currently, there is an outbreak of mumps in the Midwest. “Outbreaks like these are a good reminder that we can’t let our guard down,” Karen Lewis, M.D., Medical Director for Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) said. “The introduction of vaccines has resulted in a dramatic decrease in cases, but these diseases are out there. It is important to make sure vaccinations are up-to-date.”
That will be the key message during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 22-29, as representatives from the State Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel throughout Arizona to talk about the importance of vaccinations.
With consistently higher than average vaccination rates throughout the state, Arizona has been selected by CDC as a spotlight state for NIIW. That means the Director of CDC’s National Immunization Program, Dr. Anne Schuchat, will participate in NIIW events throughout Arizona including activities in Yuma, San Luis Río Colorado, Tucson, and Phoenix. ADHS has been working with local health departments to host events including speaking opportunities, grand rounds, promotora trainings and public events to promote NIIW. A list of all NIIW media opportunities in Arizona follows.
NIIW was established 12 years ago by the Department of Health and Human Services and CDC to remind parents, health professionals, and the public that children deserve a healthy start to life by immunizing them against vaccine-preventable diseases. More than 500 events are expected to take place nationwide to celebrate and promote this important issue.
Contact 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or www.cdc.gov/nip for additional immunization information.
Media Opportunities National Infant Immunization Week Events in Arizona
| YUMA--
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2006 |
| Contact: Kevin J. Tunell, Yuma County PIO, (928) 373-1111 |
| Time: |
10:45 am -11:00 am |
| Event Title: |
Visit Immunization Clinic |
| Opportunity: |
Interview opportunity with CDC and State Health Department Officials;
Visuals of children getting immunized, importance of immunization |
| Location: |
San Luis Gym |
| Host: |
Yuma County Department of Health, Campesinos sin Frontera, and Arizona Department of Health Services Immunization Program and Office of Border Health |
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| TUCSON
-- TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2006 |
| Contact:
John Farlow, Pima County PIO, (520) 740-8220 office; (520) 940-5301 cell |
| Time: |
7:30 am -8:30 am |
| Event Title: |
Grand Rounds at Tucson Medical Center (TMC) and Tour of Children’s Emergency Center |
| Opportunity: |
Interview opportunity with CDC and State Health Department Officials; Visuals of Grand Rounds event |
| Location: |
Tucson Medical Center, 5301 East Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ 85712, Marshall Auditorium |
| Host: |
Tucson Medical Center and Arizona Department of Health Services Immunization
Program and Office of Border Health |
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| PHOENIX
-- WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2006 |
| Contact:
Mary Ehlert, ADHS PIO, (602) 364-1201; cell (602) 721-0532 |
| Time: |
1:00 pm -2:00 pm |
| Event Title: |
Tour Mountain Park Health Center |
| Opportunity: |
Interview opportunity with CDC, State Health Department Officials, Maricopa County Health Officials, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon; Visuals of children getting immunized, colorful displays, mariachi band, award presentation, importance of immunization |
| Location: |
Mountain Park Health Center, 635 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ |
| Host: |
Mountain Park Health Center and the Arizona Department of Health Services Immunization Program |
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| PHOENIX
-- THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2006 |
| Contact:
Mary Ehlert, ADHS PIO, (602) 364-1201; cell (602) 721-0532 |
| Time: |
11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Event Title: |
International Media Briefing |
| Opportunity: |
Media briefing by International, CDC, State Health Department Officials, and UNICEF |
| Location: |
Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N. 25th Avenue, Phoenix |
| Host: |
The Pan American Health Organization |
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