Press Conference on Monday: immunization awareness

**MEDIA ALERT**

NATIONAL ADULT IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS WEEK (NAIAW)

September 21 – 26, 2009

 

For Immunization Coalition of LA County (ICLAC) info:

Contact:  Wendy Berger, 213-351-7499 – wberger@ph.lacounty.gov

 

For Press Event details contact:

Rosa Saca – 323-226-6899

 

WHO:

The Immunization Coalition of Los Angeles County (ICLAC) is a community-based partnership of health plans, vaccine companies, hospitals, clinics, schools, health department programs, non-profit organizations, businesses, and concerned citizens.   The mission of ICLAC is to foster collaborative partnerships to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases among LA County residents.

 

WHAT:

A press conference will be held in support of National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW), an annual media campaign annually to promote the importance of the recommended adult immunizations for groups at higher risk for vaccine-preventable diseases.  This year, ICLAC will highlight the importance of influenza vaccine for pregnant women and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) for post partum mothers.

 

WHEN:            

Monday, September 21, 2009 at 10:30a.m.

 

WHERE:

LAC + USC Medical Center, 2051 Marengo Street,  Inpatient Tower, main floor,  Conference Room A&B.  Parking will be available on the first floor of Lot 9, Section D.  Follow signage up the stairs from Marengo Street.  Additional public parking is available above the first floor of Lot 9 or in Lots 5 and 12.

 

WHY:   

Pregnant women are at higher risk for influenza-related complications and hospitalizations and post partum women have a higher risk of spreading pertussis infection (“whooping cough”) to their infants which may result in hospitalizations requiring intensive care treatment.  The infection may cause lifelong chronic conditions such as hearing loss from coughing spasms.

 

HOW:

The press conference will host the following speakers;  Los Angeles LA County Board of Supervisor, Gloria Molina; Los LA  Department of Public Health Director, Jonathan Fielding;, Dr. Diana Ramos of Maternal Child & Adolescent Health Program, Los Angeles County Department  of Public  Health; Dr. Oliver Brooks of Watts Health Care Corporation; and Dr. Jaime McGregor of LAC+USC Medical Center.  Also available to be interviewed is a post partum mom who is willing to share her personal story of how pertussis infection hospitalized and threatened the life of her newborn son.

 

VISUALS:

A video loop will be played starring celebrity immunization champions Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner. “I choose” posters will be displayed which reflect the statewide community- based “I choose” immunization campaign.