April 30: Extending the Reach of Adult Immunization: Strategies to Identify and Serve Vulnerable Populations.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Office of the Regional Health Administrator-Region 10, and the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO)<https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/about/index.html>, you are cordially invited to an upcoming stakeholder engagement meeting, Extending the Reach of Adult Immunization: Strategies to Identify and Serve Vulnerable Populations.

This will be a one-day meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 in Seattle, WA aimed at fostering collaboration among the states in Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) to enhance and coordinate activities related to adult immunization. The meeting will feature presentations and large and small group discussions to support planning for implementation efforts to increase the uptake of adult immunizations. Specific meeting objectives include:


 *   Identify strategies to strengthen adult immunization outreach among vulnerable populations, including adults who are underinsured and uninsured and/or who have chronic health (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, lung disease) and immunocompromising conditions.
 *   Identify strategies to maximize funding to support clinics providing vaccines for underinsured and uninsured adults.
 *   Strengthen knowledge of additional resources and strategies to enhance adult immunization efforts.

This meeting is being held as one of several across the country to drive local and regional implementation of the National Adult Immunization Plan (NAIP)<https://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/national-adult-immunization-plan/index.html>, and to strengthen multi-sector partnerships to improve adult immunization. The NAIP provides an overview of actions needed to be undertaken by federal and nonfederal partners to protect public health and achieve optimal prevention of infectious diseases and their consequences through adult vaccinations. The plan establishes four key goals, each of which is supported by objectives and strategies to guide implementation through 2020:

Goal 1: Strengthen the adult immunization infrastructure
Goal 2: Improve access to adult vaccines
Goal 3: Increase community demand for adult immunizations
Goal 4: Foster innovation in adult vaccine development and vaccination-related technologies

If you are able to attend this meeting, please register at https://regionalnaipmtg.com/region10. If you are interested in attending but are not able to travel to Seattle, please contact Crystal Dinh at crystal.dinh@hhs.gov<mailto:crystal.dinh@hhs.gov>. Registered participants will receive additional information via email in the coming weeks.

We kindly request that you do not share this invitation with others; however, if there are any colleagues or partners for whom this meeting would be relevant, please feel free to forward their information to us so that they can be considered for invitation. Should you have any questions, please contact Crystal Dinh at crystal.dinh@hhs.gov<mailto:crystal.dinh@hhs.gov>.

On behalf of the planning committee, thank you, and we look forward to your participation in this important meeting!

Sincerely,

Renée Bouvion, MPH
Acting Regional Health Administrator
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health - Region 10
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services

Planning Committee Members:
Matthew Bobo, Alaska Immunizaton Program, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Clarice Charging, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Crysta Maniscalco, Northwest Regional Primary Care Association
Mackenzie Melton, WithinReach, Immunization Action Coalition of Washington
Kelsey Pistotnik, Alaska Immunizaton Program, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Karen Sharpnack, Idaho Immunization Coalition
Cecile Town, Oregon Immunization Program, Oregon Health Authority