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Your testimony in support of HAR 11-157
is requested

A public hearing has just been scheduled for Hawaii Administrative Rules relating to Immunization (HAR 11-157). This policy will revise the current immunization policies for school attendance and entry.  Please submit testimony in support of these policy changes.

Testimony can be submitted by email to:  immunization@doh.hawaii.gov

All testimony shall be received no later than Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Hawaii Standard Time.

HEARING NOTICE

The proposed rules may be viewed at:

• Standard Version (“clean copy”):  https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/files/2018/09/HAR-11-157-Standard-9.6.18.pdf
• Ramseyer Version (“tracked changes”):  https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/files/2018/09/HAR-11-157-Ramseyer-9.6.18.pdf
• Exhibits A and B: https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/files/2018/09/HAR-11-157-Exhibits-A-and-B.pdf

Persons who are not able to attend the public hearing may submit written testimony to the DOH by mail at the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD), 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 443, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 or by email at immunization@doh.hawaii.gov.

Sample Testimony

Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony. As a community member and public health advocate, I am writing to strongly support the HAR 11-157 proposed rules update.

These proposed changes will bring Hawaii’s rules into compliance with the most current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The proposed rules update is especially important for students first entering 7^th grade or higher to receive the HPV, MCV, and Tdap shots because of low uptake levels. This is especially true for the HPV vaccine which prevents HPV-related cancers that might otherwise occur later in life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that state and local vaccination requirements for daycare and school entry are important tools for maintaining high vaccination coverage rates, and in turn, lower rates of vaccine-preventable diseases.

No vaccine is 100% effective for everyone and not everyone can be vaccinated. Newborns and those with compromised immune systems – such as those experiencing chemotherapy or with autoimmune conditions – cannot be immunized. If approximately 93% of the population is vaccinated, vulnerable groups will stay protected. Immunized students are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and protect those who cannot be immunized.

Research demonstrates that communities with more vaccine exemptions are at greater risk for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Limiting exemptions to those that are medically indicated improves protection for our entire community, including those who are particularly vulnerable, the very young and our elders.

I respectfully request that the proposed changes to HAR 11-157 be supported and passed for the health of all of our communities.

Thank you for your consideration.

Download pdf version here

The Hawaii Immunization Coalition and the Hawaii Public Health Institute are pleased to announce that they will be co-hosting the 2019 National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships to be held at the Ala Moana Hotel from November 13-15, 2019. 

A formal save the date will be released in August 2018 – be sure to mark your calendars for this amazing opportunity to connect with immunization partners throughout the country.

Download pdf version

2018 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion for Hawaii
R. Michael Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP

HIC congratulates Dr. Michael Hamilton for being recognized as Hawaii’s 2018 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion!

As former President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Hawaii Chapter) and a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Hamilton has advocated in the legislature to keep our children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.  As a medical provider, he continues to promote immunizations for children by educating parents.  Through his commitment and efforts, he has helped keep both his patients and the communities in Hawaii healthy.  Mahalo, Dr. Hamilton!

Your voice makes a difference! Check out our 2018 Legislative Matrix, and join our mailing list to see what you can do.

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes CDC Childhood Immunization Champions, individuals who go above and beyond to promote or foster childhood immunizations in his or her community.

Now, you can nominate the Hawaii Champion! Self-nominations are welcome, or you may submit a nomination for a deserving individual.  Champions can include coalition members, parent advocates, healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants), and other immunization leaders who meet the award criteria.

Awardees will be announced during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), which runs April 21–28 in 2018. Champions will receive a certificate of recognition, will be featured on CDC’s web site, and may be recognized by their immunization program during NIIW.  See previous Hawaii awardees.

If you or someone you know deserves this recognition, complete the nomination form at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018IZChampion by February 2, 2018. For more information, visit the CDC website.

We are so proud of HIC Board Member, Janelle Jinbo, for being named Hawaii’s 2017 Childhood Immunization Champion by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .  The annual award recognizes individuals in  each state who make a significant contribution toward improving public health through their work in childhood immunization.

Congrats and mahalo, Janelle!