In this issue...Provider Awards Dinner celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 1Shot Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 2Photos of Award Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 2 New Mexico’s Provider Award Winners listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 3Updates from New Mexico Department of Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 4Calendar of Events and Got Shots? Protect Tots! event . . . . . . . . . . . .page 5

Summer 2012 Volume 9 No. 1

Recognizing immunizing excellence statewide

On Friday May 4, over 80 providers were honored at the NMIC Provider Awards Dinner . The event was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albuquerque . Almost 200 providers and NMIC members attended the event. NM Department of Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr . Catherine D . Torres, welcomed the group and was on hand to present the awards and personally congratulate the award winners . It was a festive and special occasion .

The keynote speaker was Cindy Lyell, MSN, RN . Cindy is a nursing professor at NMSU and has worked for many years as a nurse on immunization issues . Most recently, Cindy completed a three month tour working for the World Health Organization’s campaign to eradicate polio in Liberia in West Africa . Cindy described the challenges of working in a developing country, the polio eradication campaign, and her assignment helping to organize mass vaccination days . Cindy provided the group with a fascinating and inspiring talk that illustrated the

enormous challenges of working to eradicate a disease .

Congratulations to all the providers across the state who achieved immunization rates of 90% and above! This is an incredible achievement . Many of the providers are repeat award winners and have sustained their high rates through ongoing hard work and dedication . Testimonials from the awards winners were compiled into a pamphlet to illustrate the best practices to achieve high immunization rates .

In addition, NMIC honored eight providers for serving as pilot test sites for rolling out the NMSIIS HL7 interchange . The providers have been working with the New Mexico Statewide Immunization Information System (NMSIIS) to get their electronic medical record systems to exchange data with NMSIIS . This will help increase the number of immunizations captured by the NMSIIS and make the data more robust .

This year, NMIC named four “Immunization Champions .” Christy Chapman, RN, is a nurse with Zuni Comprehensive Community Health

Center . Gretchen Jaramillo is an immunization WIC clerk for the NM Department of Health in Region IV . Dr . Francine Olmstead runs NM Travel Health Services, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Care Van Program operates immunization outreach activities all over New Mexico . Congratulations to all our award winners! (See page 3 for list of award winners)

NM Immunization Coalition

By Anna Pentler, MPH, MBAExecutive Director, New Mexico Immunization Coalition

Christy Chapman, RN, Immunization Champion, accepting an award to Zuni Comprehensive IHS

by Department of Health Cabinet Secretary, Catherine D. Torres, M.D.

Figure 1. Proposed Influenza vaccine dosing algorithm for children 6 months through 8 years of age, 2012-2013 season.

Page 2 New Mexico Immunization Coalition News

NMICmembersCo-Chairs: Norman White, MDJane Cotner, MS, MPH

Executive Director:Anna Pentler, MPH, MBA

Participating Organizations:AARPAging and Long-Term Services DepartmentAlbuquerque Public SchoolsBlue Cross and Blue Shield of New MexicoBorder Health Office/BEC/NMSUCenters for Disease Control and PreventionDoña Ana County Immunization CoalitionGlaxoSmithKline VaccinesGreater Albuquerque Immunization Network (GAIN)Indian Health ServiceLa Clinica de Familia Medical CenterLovelace Merck Vaccine DivisionMolina Healthcare, Inc.NM Academy of Family PhysiciansNM CYFDNM Department of HealthNM Immunization Advisory GroupNM Influenza Vaccine ConsortiumNM Human Services DepartmentNM Hospital and Health Systems NM Medical Review AssociationNM Medical Society/CPINM Nurses AssociationNM Pediatric SocietyNM Pharmaceutical AssociationNM Primary Care AssociationNM Public Health AssociationNM School Nurses AssociationNM State Department of EducationNM State PTAPassport Health NMPfizer Inc.Presbyterian Health ServicesRotary Clubs of New Mexicosanofi pasteurSanta Fe Immunization CoalitionSierra County Immunization CoalitionUniversity of New Mexico, Health Sciences CenterVilla Therese Catholic ClinicVoices for Children

SHOT BRIEFS

Two votes were taken at the June 20-21 meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) .

The first involved the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in immuno-compromised adults . PCV13 was approved for this group .

The second vote involved influenza vaccine use for the 2012-2013 influenza season . The vaccine contains two new antigens (H3N2 and B) and the formerly pandemic H1N1 antigen . The same viruses are, as usual, available in all formulations of the vaccine, including both nasal (LAIV) and injectable vaccines (TIV) . Because the vaccine contains new antigens, the algorithm as to which children under age 9 get two doses has again become more complicated than

By Lance Chilton, MDPedicatrician, Young Children’s Health Center

in the last year . ACIP adopted the following algorithm as part of this year’s recommendations, which otherwise are little changed.

Photos from NMIC provider Award DinnerClockwise from top left: Reginald Lord, MD with Ricardo Roadrunner; Immunization Champions; staff From First Choice Community Healthcare horsing around with Ricardo Roadrunner; Geraldine Tafoya and Maria Vasquez accepting an award for James A. Saltz, MD and center, Awards Winners

from Region II.

Yes

Proposed algorithm for 2nd dose influenza vaccinationFor children 6 months through 8 years of age

No/don’t know

No/don’t know

2doses

1 dose

Yes

Has child ever received influenza vaccine?

Did child receive 2 or more total doses of seasonal vaccine since July 2010?

New Mexico Immunization Coalition News Page 3

New Mexico’s Provider Award WinnersThese providers from around the state were honored at NMIC’s Provider Awards Dinner for attaining immunization rates of 90% or higher . The award-winning providers have worked diligently to ensure that New Mexico’s children are up to date on their immunizations .

Seventy New Mexico providers received a framed certificate. Special awards were given for NMSIIS pilot test sites and four immunization champions were recognized for their excellence and dedication to immunizations .

Region IWilliam R. Barkman, DO, AztecCochiti Health ClinicFirst Choice Community Healthcare, BelenFirst Choice Community Healthcare, Los LunasNorthern Navajo Medical CenterPresbyterian Medical Group, BelenPMS Western NM Medical Group, GallupPresbyterian Health Services, Rio Rancho PediatricsSan Felipe Health ClinicSanta Ana Health ClinicTohatchi Health CenterZia Health ClinicZuni Indian Hospital

Region IIAlta Vista Clinic for Children and Youth, Las VegasEdgewood Pediatric ClinicEl Centro Family Health, PeñascoEspañola Hospital MSC Pediatrics ClinicFamily Practice Associates, RatonFirst Choice Community Healthcare, EdgewoodLa Familia Medical Center Southside, Santa FeLa Familia Primary Care, Raton

Region IIIABQ Health Partners, CarlisleFamily Physicians of AlbuquerqueFirst Choice Community Healthcare: •Alamosa

•North Valley •South Broadway •South ValleyFirst Nations Community HealthSource, AlbuquerqueReginald O. Lord, MD, Abq.Northside Family Medicine, Abq.Presbyterian Northside Pediatrics, Abq.Parveen’s Pediatric Care, Abq.Pediatric Associates, Abq.Pediatric Health Services, AbqPresbyterian Medical Group, Atrisco, Abq.Presbyterian Isleta Pediatrics, Abq.Southwest Medical Associates, Abq.University of New Mexico, Abq.: •Family Health Clinic Academy •Family & Internal Medicine •UNMH Pediatric Clinic •Family Practice Center •Young Children’s Health CenterJurgen H. Upplegger, MD, PC, Abq.

Region IVBCA Medical Associates, RoswellBCA Medical Associates, ArtesiaCottonwood Pediatrics, CarlsbadFamily Health Center of Lea County, HobbsLa Casa Family Health Center, Roswell PediatricsSalvatore La Fata, MD, ClovisLovington Medical ClinicAlamogordo Pediatric AssociatesPlains Regional Medical Group Pediatrics, ClovisPMS, Quay County Family Health Center, TucumcariRaney Pediatrics, CarlsbadJames E. Saltz Jr., MD, Tucumcari

Region VBen Archer Health Center, ColumbusBen Archer Health Center, T or C School-Age ClinicBlue Skies Primary Care, DemingCasa Alegre Pediatrics, Las Cruces Maria G. Crawley, MD, Las CrucesDoña Ana Family Clinic, Las CrucesFirst Step Pediatrics, Las CrucesFull Bloom Pediatrics, Las CrucesGentle Care Pediatrics, Las CrucesHidalgo Medical Services, Silver CitySergio A. Huerta, DO, Las CrucesMesilla Valley Healthcare Associates, PA, Las CrucesAllan L. Paul, MD, AlamogordoRio Grande Medical Group, DemingWhite Mountain Medical, Ruidoso

Special Awards toNMSIIS Pilot Test SitesAlbuquerque Indian Health Center, IHS ABQ Health PartnersAfter Hours Pediatrics, Abq.BCA Medical Associates, RoswellFamily Practice Associates, TaosPresbyterian Health Care, Abq.Public Health Division, NMDOHTaos Clinic for Children & Youth

Immunization Champions

Christy Chapman, RNGretchen JaramilloFrancine Olmstead, MDBCBS New Mexico Care Van Program

Updates on NM Statewide Immunization Information System

Statewide immunization training

Page 4 New Mexico Immunization Coalition News

On May 3 and 4, the NMIC together with the NMDOH Immunization Program coordinated a training for Immunization Program staff from across New Mexico. About fifty immunization staff attended the training which covered updates on

Vaccines for Children, NMSIIS, CASA audits, best practices, special projects, the School kids Influenza

Immunization Project, Exemptions and more .

A panel of WIC clerks discussed how WIC is helping to improve immunization rates by checking records and referring clients . Megin Nichols and Karen Scherzinger with the Epidemiology and Response Division presented on pneumococcal vaccine and disease rates . Pediatrician and Immunization expert, Dr . Lance Chilton, presented on tactics to improve immunization rates and Michael Ruble presented on vaccine exemptions and school requirements . There was also a special guest, an adult polio survivor, who came to share his experiences as a young boy in an iron lung .

The training was a great success, provided a lot of good information for all, and served as an opportunity to get to know fellow immunization staff from different regions of New Mexico.

By Kevin BersellNMSIIS Manager

Busy, busy, busy! The NMSIIS crew is working hard on many projects . The NMSIIS crew has been doing a lot of maintenance on the system . Most of the work isn’t visible to the users. Staff have been working on configuring and tuning the system to improve performance and stability . Fortunately downtime has been limited to the weekends and evenings . Thank you for your patience with these interruptions .

StaffFelicia Martinez joined the NMSIIS team in January . She’s doing System Administration and other technical work . In January, Jennifer Arellano took a job in the private sector . Martha Griego has joined the NMSIIS team in Jennifer’s position . Bobby Sanchez left the program in April . He got a good job (including a five minute commute) at PMS . The NMSIIS staff are currently in the process of filling his position and hope to have someone on board in July .

Data exchangeData exchange is progressing nicely . Five providers have been brought on board since December and hopefully number six will be on line by the time you read this. These five providers are sending files to NMSIIS and they are being processed into NMSIIS . A current goal is to automate the file transfer and processing . The automation should be finished by mid-summer. Once all of the pilot providers are on board and

the system enhancements completed, data exchange with all providers will begin . If you are interested in data exchange please contact kevin .bersell@state .nm .us .Another development is that NMSIIS is now uploading Medicaid data . Every week Medicaid sends a list of all children who received Medicaid funded immunizations . Each weekly file contains about 10,000 immunizations . Those data are loaded into NMSIIS and recorded under the “MMIS” organization .

VTrckS is comingVTrckS is CDC’s new vaccine tracking and ordering system . VTrckS is a system that integrates vaccine purchasing

and ordering and distribution . VTrckS was launched in four states in December 2010 and is scheduled to be implemented in New Mexico in May 2013 .

VTrckS offers health care providers reduced administrative costs and increased order accuracy through

the ability to place and track orders online . Through VTrckS health care providers can:

Place and track vaccine orders online Make order info . available online Integrate NMSIIS data with orders Increase order accuracy reduce errors Receive updates from grantees/CDC

By Anna Pentler, MPH, MBANMIC Executive Director

VTrckS offers health care providers reduced administrative costs and increased order accuracy

August 4 through August 18,

2012July

7/19 NMIC Steering Committee meeting, 2:00-4:00pm

August

8/4-8/18 Got Shots? Protect Tots! statewide event8/17 NMIC Meeting, Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, 11-3pm

September

October

10/18 NMIC Steering Committee meeting, 2:00-4:00pm

New Mexico Immunization CoalitionOffice for Community HealthMSC09 5065Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131

NM Immunization Coalition News is published semi-annually . Please contact Maggie June at 505-272-3032 or via email at mjune@salud .unm .edu if you have an item to submit for the newsletter.

2012 calendar of upcoming eventsNew Mexico Immunization Coalition News Page 5

Got Shots?Protect Tots!

All New Mexico providers are invited to participate in the annual back-to-school statewide immunization event, “Got Shots? Protect Tots!” In order to catch up all kids in the state, providers open their doors to vaccinate all children at no cost to the parent, regardless of the child’s insurance status . Last year 70 providers participated . NMIC provides incentives to give the children and posters to publicize your event .

Working together we can ensure that no child will suffer from a vaccine-preventable disease because they did not receive age-appropriate vaccinations .

To sign up, visit the NMIC website for the registration form: http://hsc.unm.edu/programs/nmimmunization/GotShot .shtml; or contact Maggie June at mjune@salud .unm .edu, 505-272-3032 or fax to 505-272-3764 .