Please join us for this upcoming webinar featuring Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, MD, FAAFP, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and RonaldBalajadia, MS, Immunization Branch Chief, Hawaii State Department of Health, as they discuss the new school immunization requirements to be implemented in Hawaii this fall.
Illustration of the COVID-19 virus CDC/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
RESOURCES
COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019 from Wuhan, China. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The virus has spread to 178 countries across the globe.
COVID-19 spreads via droplet transmission. To learn about how COVID-19 is spread click here.
To reduce your risk of infection, wash your hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds. If traditional hand-washing is not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. If you feel sick, stay home. For additional information, and if you have questions about whether or not it is appropriate to wear a face mask click here.
Symptoms of COVID-19 appear 2-14 days after exposure. Primary symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Certain individuals, such as those over 65 or with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness. To see if this is you or someone you love click here. There are warning signs to indicate you may need to go to the doctor. Please consult your medical provider for any symptoms that are severe of concerning.
The number of cases throughout the country is changing rapidly. To see real-time tracking of cases and fatalities throughout the world click here. For information pertaining directly to Hawaii click here. Currently, Governor Ige has issued a stay-at-home, work-from home order to fight COVID-19. To stay informed on the most up-to-date information, sign up here for daily updates from the Hawaii Department of Health or visit the Hawaii Department of Health website.
There is currently no defined treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. However, many vaccine candidates are in the pipeline for human trials and potential approval. Moderna is the first vaccine candidate to be approved to move into human trials. The candidate is currently in a Phase 1, open-label, dose-ranging clinical trial of 45 healthy participants between 18-55 years old.
Additional Resources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): click here.
Thank you to everyone who joined our Immunization Update Webinar! We were glad to support and connect with our local immunization champions! Register at http://immunizationupdatewebinar2019.eventbrite.com.
Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution toward improving public health through their work in childhood immunization. A CDC Childhood Immunization Champion is an individual who is doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster childhood immunizations in his or her community. Champions should meet one or more of the following criteria:
Leadership: The candidate is considered an authority on immunization in his or her community, medical system, or individual practice. Activities may include acting as a spokesperson, trainer, mentor, or educator. Collaboration: The candidate has worked to build support for and increase immunization rates in infants and young children. Activities may include establishing or strengthening partnerships, coalitions, committees, working groups, or other. Innovation: The candidate has used creative or innovative strategies to promote immunization or address challenges to immunization in their practice, community, state, or region. Activities may include both new strategies and adapting existing strategies in new ways such as for reaching under-immunized populations. Advocacy: The candidate is active in advancing policies and best practices to support immunization in infants and young children in their community, state, or region. The candidate cannot be involved in advocacy activities that are related to funding for immunizations.
Champions may include coalition members, parents, healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, etc.), and other immunization leaders who meet the award criteria. Self-nominations are welcome, or you may submit a nomination for a deserving individual. State immunization program managers, state and federal government employees of health agencies, individuals who have been affiliated with and/or employed by pharmaceutical companies, and those who have already received the award are not eligible.
Awardees will be announced during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 27–May 4, 2019. Champions will be featured on CDC’s web site and may be recognized by their immunization program during NIIW.
The Hawaii Immunization Coalition is a 501(c)3 statewide community-based organization working to ensure all of Hawaii’s families are appropriately vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Register at 
