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Champions for Children Spring Luncheon

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Champions for Children Spring Luncheon
Start Date: 25-Mar-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 25-Mar-10 1:30 PM
Location: The Junior League of Houston, Houston, TX 77027
Speaker: Dr. Paul Offit

Event Details:

Underwriter Reception - 11:00 am
Guest Registration - 11:30 am
Luncheon and Presentation - 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Recipient of the Ralph D. Feigin, M.D. Award for Excellence
Dr. Paul A. Offit

Recipient of the Community Partnership Award
The Houston Area Rotary Clubs

Luncheon Underwriters

Presenting Sponsor:

BENEFACTOR SPONSOR

The Methodist Hospital

CHAMPION SPONSORS

BMC Software
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
Flo and Bill McGee
National Oilwell Varco

PATRON SPONSORS

AMERIGROUP Community Care
Baker Hughes
Harris County Judge and Mrs. Ed Emmett
Fayez Sarofim & Company
Judith Z. Feigin, Ed.D.
Susan Feigin Harris and Jonathan M. Harris
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Amy and Gentry Lee
Ginger and Wade Upton

SUPPORTER SPONSORS

Amegy Bank of Texas
Drs. Julie and Marc Boom
Dr. Lindy and Tom McGee
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
Kimberly C. David
Marty Braniff and David Rubenstein, Ph.D.

CONTRIBUTORS

Monique and John M. Boom
Lauren and Ken Burke
Dr. Mary desVignes-Kendrick
Barbara and Corbin J. Robertson, Jr.

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS

Baylor College of Medicine
Kimberly C. David
Gelb Consulting Group

EMCEE

Dominique Sachse
Emmy-Nominated TV News Anchor
KPRC Local 2

HONORARY CHAIR

Dr. Mark W. Kline
Physician-In-Chief
Texas Children’s Hospital

CO-CHAIRS

Dr. Lindy McGee
John M. McKeever

HOST COMMITTEE

Glenn Baird
Michele & John R. Boettiger Jr.
Drs. Julie and Marc Boom
Marty Braniff
Emily Crosswell
Harris Co. Judge & Mrs. Ed Emmett
Susan Feigin Harris
Alicia Jansen
Melissa and Bill King
Amy and Gentry Lee
Flo and Bill McGee
Clare McLeroy
Dr. Flor Munoz-Rivas
David Rubenstein, Ph.D

If you are unable to attend the event, please consider supporting The Immunization Partnership with a tax-deductable contribution by donating online today.

The Junior League of Houston

1811 Briar Oaks Lane

Houston, TX USA 77027

Opinion: Innoculated Against the Facts

Paul Offit — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Opinion: Inoculated Against Facts
By Paul A. Offit
New York Times
March 31, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/opinion/31offit.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

ON March 6, Terry and Jon Poling stood outside a federal courthouse in Atlanta, Ga., with their 9-year-old daughter Hannah and announced that the federal government had admitted that vaccines had contributed to her autism. The news was shocking. Health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and at the American Academy of Pediatrics have steadfastly assured the public that vaccines do not cause autism. Now, in a special vaccine claims court, the federal government appeared to have said exactly the opposite. What happened?

The answer is wrapped up in the nature of the unusual court where the Poling case was heard. In 1986, after a flood of lawsuits against vaccine makers threatened the manufacture of vaccines for children, Congress created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, financed by a tax on every dose of vaccine.

As part of the program, a group of scientists, doctors and lawyers listed all the health problems that might be linked to vaccines. The oral polio vaccine could in rare cases cause paralysis, for example, and an early version of the rotavirus vaccine might cause intestinal blockage. (In the interest of full disclosure: I am a co-inventor and co-patent holder of a newer rotavirus vaccine.)

If, at a trial in a special court, a preponderance of scientific evidence suggested that a vaccine caused one of these problems, a family would be compensated quickly, generously and fairly. Because no one could sue vaccine makers without going through this special court, the number of lawsuits against vaccine makers fell drastically.

The system worked fine until a few years ago, when vaccine court judges turned their back on science by dropping preponderance of evidence as a standard. Now, petitioners need merely propose a biologically plausible mechanism by which a vaccine might cause harm - even if their explanation contradicts published studies. In 2006, for example, Dorothy Werderitsh claimed in the vaccine court that a hepatitis B vaccine had triggered an autoimmune response in her brain that led to multiple sclerosis. Two large studies had clearly shown that hepatitis B vaccine could neither cause nor exacerbate multiple sclerosis, but the court ruled in favor of Ms. Werderitsh, elevating a hypothesis above epidemiological evidence.

The Hannah Poling case is similar. In 2000, when Hannah was 19 months old, she received five shots against nine infectious diseases. Over the next several months, she developed symptoms of autism. Subsequent tests showed that Hannah has a mitochondrial disorder - her cells are unable to adequately process nutrients - and this contributed to her autism. An expert who testified in court on the Polings' behalf claimed that the five vaccines had stressed Hannah's already weakened cells, worsening her disorder. Without holding a hearing on the matter, the court conceded that the claim was biologically plausible.

On its face, the expert's opinion makes no sense. Even five vaccines at once would not place an unusually high burden on a child's immune system. The Institute of Medicine has found that multiple vaccines do not overwhelm or weaken the immune system. And although natural infections can worsen symptoms of chronic neurological illnesses in children, vaccines are not known to.

"There is no evidence that children with mitochondrial enzyme deficiencies are worsened by vaccines," Salvatore DiMauro, a professor of neurology at Columbia who is the nation's leading expert on the disorder, told me. Indeed, children like Hannah Poling who are especially susceptible to infections are most likely to benefit from vaccines.

Supporters of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program argue reasonably that the program should err on the side of overcompensation - a relief valve that is needed in a society that mandates vaccines. But there is a price for this largesse. In the past few years, parents of 4,800 autistic children have filed claims to the vaccine court which have yet to be heard. And average awards in other recent vaccine cases have been more than $800,000. Furthermore, because uncompensated claims in vaccine court can spill into state courts, the Poling decision will likely draw more personal-injury lawyers to the fray. "It's a beginning," said Kevin Conway, a Boston-based lawyer who represents more than 1,200 families with vaccine injury claims.

The vaccine court should return to the preponderance-of-evidence standard. But much damage has already been done by the Poling decision. Parents may now worry about vaccinating their children, more autism research money may be steered toward vaccines and away from more promising leads and, if similar awards are made in state courts, pharmaceutical companies may abandon vaccines for American children. In the name of trying to help children with autism, the Poling decision has only hurt them.

Paul A. Offit, chief of the infectious diseases division of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is the author of "Vaccinated: One Man's Quest to Defeat the World's Deadliest Diseases."

2-Apr-08 12:00 PM

Houston Area Immunization Partnership Urges Parents of 7th Graders to Take Action and Have their Kids Immunized

noemail@immunizeusa.org — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:15:00 GMT

HOUSTON (April 22, 2009) – Three new vaccines are essential for the 337,000 Texas students, including 73,923 Harris County students, entering seventh grade. The Texas Department of State Health Services is requiring that students receive the following vaccines before they enroll for the 2009-2010 school year: One dose of Meningococcal vaccine (Meningitis) One dose of Tdap vaccine - tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Whooping Cough) A second dose of Varicella vaccine (Chicken Pox) Dangerous diseases can be easily passed from one child to another, but many of them are easily preventable through immunization. It’s critical we have our children vaccinated to keep them healthy, said Anna C. Dragsbaek, J.D., executive director, Houston Area Immunization Partnership. We urge parents to act now, to avoid the back-to-school rush at doctors’ offices and to avoid delays in starting 7th grade. Over the last several years, we’ve heard a lot of...

Houston Area Immunization Partnership Gelb Share Award

noemail@immunizeusa.org — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Gelb Recognized as Top Corporate Citizen for Immunization Brand The Houston marketing community recognized the brand launch of the Houston Area Immunization Partnership at the 2008 American Marketing Association Crystal Awards. Gelb Consulting Group, one of our dedicated partners, received an award for Corporate Citizenship competing with a host of well-qualified entries. The AMA Crystal Award is heavily weighted toward results, which Gelb helped us achieve. By working with Gelb, the Houston Area Immunization Partnership has clarified its mission, created an exciting visual identity, launched a new website, www.immunizehouston.org, and renewed partner enthusiasm. In 2007, we sought to build consensus around a unifying idea, one that aligned our community partners and expanded our potential beyond the management of the Houston Harris County Immunization Registry. Gelb led our board through a process to create the Houston Area Immunization Partnership. It is certainly a well...

Immunization Partnership Gains Executive Director

noemail@immunizeusa.org — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:15:00 GMT

In keeping with the new mission of the Houston Area Immunization Partnership, a new Executive Director has been hired who has the skills and vision to take the organization in its new direction. Anna C. Dragsbaek, who has been serving as a part-time interim Director, will assume the Executive Director position on April 4.

Anna comes to us from Texas Children's Hospital, where she was the Manager of the Immunization Project since 2005. There she was involved in collaborative community projects promoting immunization, as well as legislative advocacy work, immunization registry support, outreach to physician offices, and policy issues to support immunization of Houston's children. Anna provided leadership and oversight for the Immunization Project, engaging in public health and policy research, health education, and implementation of the Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry. Prior to becoming Manager, Anna was the Immunization Registry Coordinator.

Anna obtained a Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center in May, 2006 and was admitted to the Texas Bar in November, 2006. She has studied International and Family Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health.

Frankie Milley Honored by Partnership

noemail@immunizeusa.org — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Frankie Milley will be honored by the Houston Area Immunization Partnership for her public service in promoting vaccinations. Frankie and Bob Milley's only son Ryan died from meningococcal meningitis. As a result of Ryan’s death, Milley founded Meningitis Angels, a nonprofit group which has become an international network of education, survivor communication and service. Meningitis Angels currently represents over 500 Angels and families across the U.S. and over 50 abroad. Milley has created a teen awareness group called the Vaccinators to educate other teens, and a big bear character called Beary Wise to educate children on the importance of disease prevention through healthy living and immunizations. She helped to write Texas Senate Bill 31 which helped Texas become the first state in the country which educates students of all ages on bacterial meningitis. Along with other parents across the country, Milley helped to establish meningitis vaccine recommendations for college...

Houston Organization to Address Immunization Issues

noemail@immunizeusa.org — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:00:00 GMT

The Houston Area Immunization Partnership will launch its new mission and scope of operations on April 24th. The organization is committed to addressing a wide range of immunization issues to ensure that our community is protected from deadly vaccine preventable diseases. Dr. Carole Baker, member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and noted author of the Red Book will speak on "Immuninzation: Truth or Consequences". Frankie Milly, Founder of Meningitis Angels, will be an honored for her advocacy work on vaccine policy. The event is co-hosted by the Rotary Club of Houston at their weekly luncheon at 11:30 on Thurdsday, April 24th at the Junior League, located at 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston TX 77027. Click here to view an invitation to the luncheon. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP.

Advisory Committee

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:37:13 GMT

The Immunization Partnership Advisory Committee

January 2010

Ms. Farha Ahmed	CFF Capital Management, L.P.
Dr. Robert Austin	R. J. Austin Consulting
Mr. D. Glenn Baird	Amegy Bank of Texas
Mr. John Boettiger	Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, LLP
Dr. Marc Boom	The Methodist Hospital
Dr. David Butler	Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates
Mr. Mark Chretien	Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dr. Mary des Vignes-Kendrick	Texas A&M Health Science Center
Ms. Susie Distefano	Texas Children’s Hospital
Mr. Michael Edwards	Houston Community College
Mr. Chet Fenner	BMC Software
Ms. Susan Feigin Harris	Baker Hostetler, LLP
Ms. Therese Hoyle	Hoyle Consulting
Ms. Melissa King	Community Volunteer
Mr. Joe Lastinger	Families Fighting Flu
Ms. Aileen McCormick	Amerigroup Community Care
Ms. Barbara McCormick	Community Volunteer
Ms. Sherea McKenzie	Joint City/County Commission on Children
Dr. Flor Munoz-Rivas	Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Robert Sanborn	Children at Risk
Mr. Sunny Sharma	Sunbelt Medical Group
Mr. Jack Sims	Texas Department of State Health Services
Dr. Barry L. Zeitz	Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates

Our Board

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:15:31 GMT

Executives Kimberly Cotner David Baylor College of Medicine President (biography) Craig Cordola Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital President-Elect (biography) Melanie E Mouzoon, M.D. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Past-President (biography) Melinda M. Grady St. Luke's Episcopal Health System Treasurer John M. McKeever President, Gelb Consulting Group, Inc. Secretary(biography) Barron P. Bogatto Jackson Walker L.L.P. Chair of the Legal Committee (biography) Julie A. Boom, M.D. Registry Medical Director, Chair of Registry Committee (biography) Directors Steve Barnhill Edge Creative Strategies, LLC. (biography) Vicki Brentin Houston Area Rotary Clubs (biography) Walter Bruce Seismic Micro-Technology, Inc. Jacquelyn Cox Citrine Strategies, Inc. Gwen Emmett Patricia Gray Research for the Health Law & Policy Institute (biography) Todd C. Litton Citizen Schools Lindy McGee, MD Kay Tittle, MS, RN, FACHE President,...

H1N1 Flu Forum Presentations

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:55:34 GMT

The Cary Family—The Cary Family shared a personal story of how H1N1 affected their family.

- Billy Cary vs H1N1 presentation

Julie Boom, MD—Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine; Director Immunization Project, Texas Children’s Hospital, Co-Director Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research

- Dr. Boom's presentation addressing the impact of H1N1 on the pediatric population.

Flor M. Munoz, MD—Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine

- Dr. Munoz's presentation discussing the clinical trials of the H1N1 vaccine, safety and efficacy.

Angel Angco, MBA, BSN—TX Department of State Health Services, Immunization Program Manager Region 6/5S

- Ms. Angco's presentation discussing H1N1 vaccine supply and distribution.

Cynthia Marietta, JD—Research Professor, Health Law Policy Institute, UH Law Center

- Ms. Marietta's presentation discussing the legal and policy issues related to H1N1.

Protjase y proteja a su familia:

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:32:05 GMT

Información sobre la gripe estacional La gripe H1N1 y usted. ¿Tiene preguntas sobre vacunas? ¿Necesita encontrar un proveedor in Houston? Llame a 1-877-718-5599 La gripe H1N1 (gripe porcina) ha llegado y muchas áreas han observado una rápida propagación. La vacuna contra la gripe estacional está disponible en la actualidad, y las personas deberán recibir la vacuna contra la gripe estacional Y una vacuna contra la gripe H1N1. Las vacunas contra la gripe H1N1 estarán disponibles en las próximas semanas y continuarán llegando a medida que la estación de gripe avance. Debería haber...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:31:11 GMT

H1N1 Resources The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 H1N1 Influenza Childhood Immunization Support Program The Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC) A.L.A. Flu Clinic Locator Google Flu Clinic Locator Flu.Gov TexasFlu.org ImmTrac Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza Resources The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 H1N1 Influenza CDC provides comprehensive novel H1N1 influenza information and resources for patients and professionals including recent nationwide influenza activity, priority groups for H1N1 vaccine administration and information on anti-virals. >> Back to Top Childhood Immunization Support Program AAP, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...

Resources for Healthcare Providers

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:30:44 GMT

H1N1 Resources Immunization Resources Tools Training and CEUs Useful Links ...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:22:15 GMT

Useful Links Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine and Immunization National Network for Immunization Information (NNii) The Vaccine Education Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccinate Your Baby Immunization Action Coalition Immunize Texas Vaccine Safety Resources Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations The Committee develops written recommendations for the routine administration of vaccines to children and adults in the civilian population; recommendations include age for vaccine administration number of doses and dosing interval, and precautions and contraindications. The ACIP is the only entity in...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:21:30 GMT

Training and CEUs Texas Vaccine Education Online Immunization Coalitions Technical Assistance Network (IZTA) Test your knowledge about vaccinations Rotavirus Disease and Prevention Through Vaccination Texas Vaccine Education Online The Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Branch has developed the Texas Vaccine Education Online to provide short online courses on topics related to vaccines, including Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC), ImmTrac, vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine administration, and strategies to raise coverage levels. Each course is designed for a specific audience, such as health care providers,school personnel, parents, and local health departments. These courses are free .Public Health Training Network The Public Health Training...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:20:35 GMT

Provider Tools Catch-up Immunization Scheduler ImmTrac Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) Vaccines for Children program Vaccine Storage/Handling Resources Vaccine Coding Table Standardized Vaccine Abbreviations from ACIP Catch-up Immunization Scheduler Once downloaded, this tool can be used to determine the vaccines needed and is especially useful for quickly noting missed or skipped immunizations according the ACIP Recommended Schedule. >>Back to top ImmTrac ImmTrac is the Texas immunization registry developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). ImmTrac is a free, confidential registry designed to consolidate immunization records from multiple providers and store a child’s immunization information electronically in...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:13:06 GMT

Immunization Resources Hotline Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations Immunization Action Coalition Ask the Experts CDC Pink Book: Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Red Book® Online Table Talking About Vaccine Safety with Parents and Patients Immunization Action Coalition: Sample Vaccine Policy Statement Vaccine Safety Resources Paul Offit introduces his new book: Autism's False Prophets Standardized Vaccine Abbreviations from ACIP; Texas DSHS Immunization Branch: The Vaccine Advisory Vaccine Shortages and Delays Texas Immunization School Rules Hotline CDC National Immunization Information Hotline (NIIH) Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M., ET 1-800-232-2522 (English) 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish) ...

Lorem ipsum survey

noemail@immunizeusa.org — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:51:21 GMT

Objectives:

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Release Date: 30-Jan-08 9:51 AM
Expiration Date: 30-Apr-08 9:51 AM

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Dr. Baker, Dr. Mouzoon, Frankie Milley, Anna C. Dragsbaek

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:50:08 GMT