Danbury Adolescent Immunization Campaign A 'Win/Win/Win'

Patients who spoke to their health care providers in Danbury, Ridgefield, Brookfield, and Newtown about any of these three vaccines could enter a drawing to win an iPad®, and the medical offices that submitted the most entries won a free lunch for their staff. The campaign was a Win/Win/Win: win immunity for children and the community, win an iPad, and win lunch for health staff. A 16-year-old Danbury resident won the iPad® after speaking with his doctor about the HPV and both meningococcal vaccines. CIFC Health/Pediatrics and Danbury Health and Human Services won lunch for their staff members.

The IAP Program received over 1,500 raffle entries, which means that over 1,500 pre-teens and teens talked to their health care providers about the importance of being vaccinated against HPV and meningitis or received the vaccines themselves. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., causing over 37,000 cases of cancer each year. It is the primary cause of cervical cancer and contributes to many types of cancer in both men and women. Meningococcal disease is rare but can be deadly. About 1 to 2 out of every 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die from the infection.

"These three vaccines are safe, effective and offer protection from serious illnesses that can lead to cancers, long-term disabilities and even death" explained Pam Bates, RN, BSN, Norwalk/Danbury IAP Program Coordinator. "It is very important for pre-teens and teens to discuss these life-saving vaccines with their health care providers as they offer the best defense when they are given at the recommended ages."

The Norwalk/Danbury IAP Program based at Norwalk Health Department works with families, health care providers, Danbury Health Department, Danbury Public Schools including the school-based health centers, and the community to ensure that area children and adults receive age-appropriate vaccines.