Media Advisory

National Immunization Conference to be held in Kansas City March 5-8, 2007

Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. John O. Agwunobi to Speak

Who:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)

What:

Is holding the 41st annual National Immunization Conference to explore the latest developments in vaccine science, policy, education, and technology. Topics will include: childhood, adolescent and adult immunization; influenza immunization and vaccine supply; avian influenza and pandemic planning; vaccine safety and monitoring; new vaccines and scientific advances; and global polio eradication. Conference speakers include: Dr. John Agwunobi, assistant secretary for health, HHS; Dr. Anne Schuchat, director, NIP; Dr. Paul Offit, chief of infectious diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (vaccine safety).

When/Where:

March 5-8, 2007, Kansas City Marriott Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Convening Monday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m. and adjourning Thursday, March 8 at 12:00 noon.

WHY:

Childhood immunization rates have now reached all-time highs, with 90 percent or more of America's children receiving the most critical doses of vaccines by age two. Most reported cases of vaccine-preventable disease are at or near all-time lows. While overall childhood immunization coverage rates for children are at near record highs, 20 percent, or more than one million, of the nation’s children under age two still have not received all their recommended immunizations. Other challenges include the ensuring of the 2007 influenza season vaccine supply, planning for avian and pandemic influenza, monitoring vaccine safety, and overcoming racial/ethnic disparities in childhood vaccination coverage levels. This conference will bring together a wide variety of local, state, federal and private-sector immunization partners to address these and other important public health issues related to vaccines.

Conference Highlight

For more information about detailed program and registration go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic/#more
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES