Patricia Porter, Integrating Medicine and Public Health (IMAP) Program, University of California, San Francisco & CA DHS, 3333 California Street, Suite 340, San Francisco, CA, USA, Nisha Gandhi, CA Dept of Health, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA, USA, Ronald W. Chapman, Medicine and Public Health Section, California Department of Health Services, P.O. Box 942732, Mailstop 253, Sacramento, CA, USA, and Debra Howell, Immunization Branch, California Deparment of Health Services, 2151 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA.
KEYWORDS:
Adult immunization, partnerships, leadership, project planning, coalition
BACKGROUND:
In response to a devastating flu season in 1999, a flu vaccine shortage in 2000 and 2001 and continued reports of low immunization rates among high-risk and underserved adults, adult immunization stakeholders across California are developing a collaborative and solution-oriented approach to address this health issue.
OBJECTIVE:
Describe the systematic approach to the development of a statewide coalition with diverse and representative membership whose mission is to support cross-sector (medicine, public health, community) collaboration that results in improved adult immunization rates, particularly the among high risk adults and those who have limited access to preventive care in California.
METHOD:
This statewide coalition development includes collaborative, integrated, evidence-based, data driven, short and long-term strategies to improve adult immunization rates. It will address statewide policies and issues, gather data, develop, evaluate, and disseminate best practices, and support the development and enhancement of local and regional adult immunization efforts across California. An informal survey was conducted to assess adult immunization activities at the local level.
RESULT:
Coalition leadership coordinated two influenza immunization summits. Members coordinated and submitted three adult immunization questions for the 2003 California Health Interview Survey; all were accepted for inclusion. Coalition members submitted joint funding proposals to support the coalition's infrastructure and high priority interventions and activities, and implemented a statewide survey of current activities and perceived gaps and opportunities related to improving adult immunization rates.
CONCLUSION:
Cross sector integration and coordination of efforts at the local, regional, and statewide levels are necessary to improve adult immunization rates.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Attendees will learn about the development of a new statewide adult immunization coalition in California and findings from interventions and activities supported by the coalition.
See more of Successful Adult Vaccination Coalitions: How to Create Them and Make Them Work
See more of The 37th National Immunization Conference
