TIP Stakeholder Meetings Presented to The Texas Immunization Stakeholder Workgroup Anna C. Dragsbaek President/CEO May 20, 2010

Background on Immunization Stakeholder Meetings Conducted eight town hall meetings in 2008 Distributed Survey to over 700 stakeholders Culminated in Texas Immunization Summit –200+ stakeholder attended –Shared meetings results, best practices, and recommendations Published guide: Texans Speak Out: How to Improve Immunization Rates

Legislative Accomplishments SB 346 by Chairwoman Jane Nelson (R - Flower Mound): Adults may now enter their information into the state immunization registry, ImmTrac. SB 347 by Chairwoman Jane Nelson (R - Flower Mound): Allows Texas to share information with other states if there is an emergency in Texas that forces Texans to surrounding states. HB 4189 by Chairman Patrick Rose (D - Dripping Springs): Effective January 2010, any student entering a dormitory for the first time must have the meningitis vaccine.

2010 Immunization Stakeholder Meetings Objectives –Share hot topics in immunization on the national front –Discuss immunization challenges –Learn how to be an effective immunization advocate

2010 Immunization Stakeholder Meetings Completed Meeting Houston El Paso Dallas San Antonio Scheduled Meetings Abilene – June 2 Fort Worth – June 9 Galveston – June 14 McAllen – June 16 Brownsville – June 16 Austin – June 18

Stakeholder Meetings and Public Engagement Public engagement through stakeholder meetings ensure continuous improvement of the immunization delivery system Exchange informational need through informal dialogue Identify opportunities and evaluate policy options Communicate through legislative/grassroots efforts

Stakeholder Meeting Highlights Private Practice Barriers –Cost and reimbursement of vaccines –Lack of public acceptance of vaccine recommendations –Lack of interface between electronic medical record and immunization registry

Stakeholder Meeting Highlights ImmTrac –Opt-in vs. opt-out –Data quality and other technical issues –Lack of provider participation; need for improved promotion efforts –Need for increased functionality during H1N1 –Interoperability between registry and EMR

Stakeholder Meeting Highlights Border Issues –Need for border collaboration during H1N1 –Influx of residents due to drug raids; inadequate documentation of vaccination and insufficient resources to handle demand

Stakeholder Meeting Highlights H1N1 –Lack of awareness on vaccine availability, confusion about priority groups –Vaccine hesitancy and lack of trust in H1N1 led to decreased uptake –Supply could not accommodate demand –Complex pre-registration and ordering process

Stakeholder Meeting Highlights Healthcare Worker Vaccination –Need to implement training for all levels of healthcare providers –Share best practices from across the state –Modify messages to encourage HCW vaccination, “vaccine is like a glove”

Stakeholder Meeting Highlights Vaccine Hesitancy –Anti-vaccine groups continue to gain momentum –Need to combat anti-vaccine messages with experience and personal testimony

Next Steps Answer survey online Watch the website for action items: Attend the Summit this Fall—September 30 & Oct 1 in FORT WORTH! Tell your story!

Anna C. Dragsbaek: Nidhi M. Nakra: Maureen Moore: Contact Information