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CEO Message

We are beginning to turn the corner. This May we began to see positive results from our COVID-19 vaccination efforts. In Texas and throughout the United States, the number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have begun to decline due to increased rates of COVID-19 vaccinations. We received further good news with the FDA’s emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents age 12 and older, which will ensure many students are protected for the next school year. But with only one-third of Texans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 we have a long way to go to increase our community immunity. However, we are strengthened and motivated by the positive results thus far and will continue our work to create a community free of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Allison N. Winnike, J.D.

President & Chief Executive Officer

 
 

TIP comments on ACIP COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation

Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for kids 12-15 received FDA Emergency Use Authorization and a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Good news as we head into the summer and prepare for in-person school in the fall. TIP president and CEO, Allison Winnike, was among the individuals providing expert comments to ACIP.

 

Never too old to rock ‘n’ roll (or to get your adult vaccines)

May 26 is National Senior Health and Fitness Day. All folks over the age of 50 should use this time to think about getting involved in individual or group activities that promote health and fitness, such as walking, dancing, or low- to no-impact exercising. Whenever doing physical activities with other individuals, always follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Senior health and fitness also involve staying up-to-date with adult vaccines to help prevent getting and spreading illnesses. As we get older, our body cannot fight off sickness like it did when we were younger, which makes us vulnerable to many vaccine-preventable diseases we might have handled better in our youth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several vaccines to help keep older folks healthy.

 

UPDATE from the 87th Texas Legislature

  • TIP testified against SB 1669, which would repeal vaccination requirements and prevent future vaccine requirements. This dangerous bill would undo decades of public health advancement and lead to more vaccine preventable outbreaks. Hundreds of vaccine advocates from across the state voiced their opposition against this bill.
  • Thank you to all the advocates who called and e-mailed committee members. The bill author submitted substitute language which would limit it to COVID-19 vaccines. The bill is still dangerous as it continues to remove individual and organization decision making related to vaccination. 
  • SB 1669 is pending in the Senate Committee for State Affairs.

TAKE ACTION! If you have not sent a note to members of the Senate State Affairs Committee stating your opposition to SB 1669, PLEASE TAKE LESS THAN 1 MINUTE TO DO SO.

 

Baker Institute webinar with Dr. Peter Hotez

We're proud to co-sponsor a free webinar through Rice University’s Baker Institute, Preventing the Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-science, on Monday, May 24. TIP Scientific Advisory Council member Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, will discuss his new book “Preventing the Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-Science.” Dr. Hotez is an internationally recognized vaccine scientist at Baylor College of Medicine and Baker Institute fellow in disease and poverty. Our Rekha Lakshmanan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, will moderate. Register below. It's free.

 

TIP is participating in the myWalgreens donation program. You can donate your myWalgreens cash rewards to The Immunization Partnership through Monday, May 31. At Walgreens, you’ll earn unlimited 1% Walgreens Cash rewards when you shop and you can choose how much to donate. It’s that easy. Whether you’d like to contribute $1, $5, or more of your Walgreens Cash rewards you’ll be making a big difference. It really adds up!

 

2021 Virtual Community Immunity Luncheon

Thank you for helping to make our 12th Annual Community Immunity Luncheon: A Virtual Event on April 22 an overwhelming success! This is our second straight virtual annual luncheon, and our supporters and participants came through in amazing ways. 

If you missed it, the recording of the virtual luncheon, including an interview with Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, can be viewed here.

We'd like to give a big shout out to co-chairs Carter Dugan (left) and Riki Graves, MHA (right). They worked tirelessly to assist with the planning and promotion of this year's event, helping us to raise $173,675, far exceeding our goal of $152,000. We heartily thank them for all of their hard work!

 

Questions about COVID-19 and vaccinations?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, TIP is working to meet the needs of our front-line public health responders, health care professionals, and the public. The TIP team, along with our Pandemic Vaccine Task Force and Health Equity Council, provide valuable feedback and recommendations to our local, state, and federal partners to improve distribution, allocation, and access to COVID-19 vaccines.

 Click below for answers for where to find Texas vaccine providers, vaccine safety, and many other frequently asked questions.

Meet Mobi and Victor

TIP created a children's book that explains community immunity and the importance of keeping those who are unable to receive vaccines safe from harm. The book follows Mobi, a pesky measles virus, who has a goal of infecting everyone in Townsville. However, a superhero vaccine named Victor quickly throws a wrench in Mobi's plans. The book takes the reader on an exciting adventure with Mobi and Victor as they explore several different situations about community immunity together.

The book is available in English and Spanish, and in hard-cover and paperback

To learn more about Mobi and Victor and how you can get your very own copy, and a coupon code for 50% off, click below.

2021 Community Survey

We want to hear from you!

As part of our annual Community Survey, we’d like Texas residents to share their opinions and beliefs about vaccines. Your responses will help identify issues to focus efforts in making Texas a healthier and safer place. Participation is confidential and information you provide will be anonymous. If you would like to enter to win one of four $25 Visa gift cards, we’ll need your name and email address, but that’s the only reason we’ll take your personal information. The survey closes on Friday, June 4. We sure would like to hear from you.

Please contact Rachel Walker at rwalker@immunizeUSA.org with any questions.

 

The Immunization Partnership Podcasts

People continue to notice our new podcasts. Vaxx Voice covers general immunization information while Vaxx to the Future features COVID-19 virus and vaccine information.

This month, we continue our Vaxx to the Future series with a five-part discussion with Cherise Rohr-Allegrini and her 14-year-old daughter who is a participant in Moderna’s Texas COVID19 vaccine trial for teens.

 

Welcome to Our Summer Interns

We will have two interns for the summer. Baileigh Toenes and Michelle Starrett. They will assist with background research and preparation for our FY 2022 projects. They will receive course credits for the TIP internships.

Baileigh is pursuing a certificate in Maternal and Child Health and a Master of Public Health at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center School of Public Health in Houston where she expects to graduate in December. She graduated from Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, with a double major in public health and cellular biology.

Michelle attends Texas A&M University at College Station where she is pursuing a Master in Public Health from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health and a Master in International Affairs from The Bush School of Government & Public Affairs. She expects to graduate in 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree in public health at TAMU.

 

Find out what TIP is saying about COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases, and what the media are saying about TIP by visiting our TIP in the News page.

 

TIP's mission is to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases by educating the community, advocating for evidence-based public policy, and supporting immunization best practices.

The Immunization Partnership
240 West Galveston Street #1985  | League City, Texas 77574-1985
281-400-3689 | info@immunizeUSA.org

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