Join us for the next VICNetwork Webinar:

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

11:00 am – 12:00 noon Pacific / 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern

Whooping Cough at Record Levels…and Not Slowing Down

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With pertussis disease still at near epidemic levels in the United States and influenza season coming close behind, clinicians and communicators need to have the most up to date recommendations, information and resources available to help identify and communicate about these respiratory illnesses.  Join us on Wednesday, November 14 at 11:00 am PT/ 2:00 pm ET for an update on pertussis epidemiology and recent additions to ACIP recommendations for pertussis vaccination, along with new campaign materials that can be used for National Influenza Awareness Week. This webinar will also feature a parent advocate, Veronica McNalley who is taking action against pertussis.

• Describe emerging trends in pertussis epidemiology
• List pertussis vaccine recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
• Describe how to recognize pertussis and not overlook it during flu season
• Identify materials and resources for pertussis education and outreach

Presenters:

Alison Patti, MPH, CHES
Health Communications Specialist, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Alison Patti, MPH, CHES, is a senior Health Communications Specialist in the Division of Bacterial Diseases of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. She has worked for more than 4 years in communicating about prevention and control of illness and death from vaccine-preventable and other respiratory bacterial diseases. Alison previously served as program manager for CDC’s Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work campaign. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tufts University and a Master in Public Health in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist.

Veronica McNally
Parent Advocate

Veronica McNally lost her infant daughter to pertussis on May 17, 2012. She is the co-founder and president of the Franny Strong Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting pertussis awareness to health care professionals and the public. She has two sons, Sean (“Duke”) who is five and Stephen who is three. Veronica and her family reside in Michigan where she is an attorney and Associate Director of the Trial Advocacy Programs at Michigan State University College of Law.

Yvonne Garcia
Health Communications Specialist
CDC/NCIRD
Atlanta, Georgia

Yvonne Garcia serves as Health Communication Specialist for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Texas. Yvonne is the team lead for the national influenza vaccine communications campaign and has over  14 years of experience directing various immunization campaigns targeting audiences through the lifespan. She has applied her knowledge of health communication, social marketing, outreach to underserved populations, and media relations to support outreach communication activities at CDC.