"Raising awareness about childhood immunizations is a key strategy we are using to improve New Mexico's immunization rate." - Anna Levy, Executive Director of the NMIC

Childhood Immunization Awareness Month by Cathleen Rineer-Garber For the second consecutive year, Govenor Bill Richardson has proclaimed April as "Childhood Immunization Awareness Month" in New Mexico. The proclamation was signed in March in response to a request from the New Mexico Immunization Coalition (NMIC). Governor Bill Richardson signs the bill to create the New Mexico Statewide Immunization Information System. First Lady Barbara Richardson, Honary Chair for the NMIC, looks on. "Raising awareness about childhood immunizations is a key strategy we are using to improve New Mexico's immunization rate," said Anna Levy, Executive Director of the NMIC. "Because the last week in April is traditionally National Infant Immunization Week, this is a good month to promote our activities and get the word out." Spearheaded by the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH), the NMIC was established in December of 2002. The following spring, First Lady Barbara Richardson became the honorary chair. Funding from the First Lady, DOH and UNM Health Sciences Center provides support for staff, activities and operations. The NMIC is a statewide public/private partnership with more than 175 members. The coalition includes representatives from the DOH, Medicaid/Salud! HMOs, school nurses, Indian Health Service, pharmaceutical companies, Children, Youth and Family Division, the New Mexico Medical Society, the New Mexico Pediatric Society, New Mexico Human Services Department, local immunization coalitions, the Rotary Club, and a variety of other health and social service agencies. The coalition's goal is to see New Mexican children completely immunized by the age of 2. "For the past eight years, New Mexico has had one of the poorest immunization rates in the country," said Levy. In 2002, the state ranked 49th among the 50 states. In a short time, however, the coalition has made significant progress. Since its inception, New Mexico has moved from 49th to 43rd in the national rankings. The coalition was also successful in persuading legislators to pass a bill allowing the creation of the New Mexico Statewide Immunization Information System (NMSIIS), a centralized database that will contain immunization records for all New Mexicans. The database will provide access to immunization records through the World Wide Web to health care providers around the state. Anna Levy The NMIC has also implemented a mini-grant program, which allows local immunization coalitions and community groups to apply for up to $3000 to support immunization efforts in their communities. The coalition will disperse $20,000 in grants this year, and the same amount again next year. Although the progress is promising, according to Levy, the state still has a long way to go. "Right now, 71 percent of our children are completely immunized by age two. The Healthy People 2010 goal is 90%, so we still have a lot of work to do," she said. In honor of Childhood Immunization Awareness Month, the NMIC has scheduled a number of special events during April to draw attention to the importance of childhood immunizations. Included in these activities is a visit from Bill Atkinson, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atkinson, a national expert on childhood immunizations, will speak on "Moving New Mexico from 43rd to 1st," on April 19 at 4 p.m. The lecture, which will be held at the UNM College of Nursing/College of Pharmacy Auditorium, is free and open to the public. Along the border, the Department of Health will also hold extra immunization clinics throughout the month and will work with the media to increase awareness around the state. For more information on the NMIC or the activities scheduled for April, contact Levy at (505) 272-5796. Missed a feature story? Click here to browse our features archive.

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