DANBURY, Conn. — Young people in Danbury are being educated about the importance of three key vaccines that could save their lives.
A partnership has formed between the Danbury Health and Human Services team and the Norwalk Health Department’s Norwalk/Danbury Immunization Action Plan Program, or IAP. Together, they are campaigning to promote the existence of three potentially lifesaving vaccines to teens and pre-teens.
The highlighted vaccines include the anti-cancer human papillomavirus vaccine, or HPV, and two vaccines to prevent meningitis: meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B.
The name of the campaign is Win/Win/Win with the Big 3.
According to a release from the City of Danbury, patients who spoke to their health care providers in Danbury, Ridgefield, Brookfield and Newtown about either of the vaccines were entered into a drawing to win an iPad. Meanwhile, the medical office that submitted the most entries won a free lunch for their staff.
A 16-year-old Danbury resident won the iPad after bringing up the HPV and both meningococcal vaccines to his doctor. CIFC Health/Pediatrics and Danbury Health and Human Services won lunch for their teams.
More than 1,500 raffle entries were submitted to the IAP Program, meaning that over 1,500 pre-teens and teens spoke with their health care providers about the significance of being vaccinated against HPV and meningitis. Some even received vaccinations.
HPV is reportedly the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US; it causes more than 37,000 cases of cancer each year and is the primary cause of cervical cancer, while also contributing to many different types of cancer in both men and women.
The release said meningococcal disease is rare but can be deadly. About one to two out of every 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die from the infection.
“These vaccines are safe, effective and offer protection from serious illnesses that can lead to cancers, long-term disabilities and even death,” Pam Bates, RN, BSN, Norwalk/Danbury IAP program coordinator, said. “It is very important for pre-teens and teens to discuss these lifesaving 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 is based at the Norwalk Health Department and works with families, health care providers, the Danbury Health Department and Danbury Public Schools. In the school system, the program works with school-based health centers. It also works with the community to make sure that local children and adults receive age-appropriate vaccines.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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