Office of Border Health

NIIW 2012 Activities

Paso del Norte Border Health Council

For the 9th consecutive year, the Paso Del Norte Binational Health Council along with the US-MX Border Health Commission, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the ten border states to celebrate NIIW/VWA 2012 along the U.S.-México border, from April 21-28, to focus attention on the importance of immunizing and protecting children.

The goal of NIIW/VWA is to unite communities throughout the border and both nations to ensure all children have a healthy and safe childhood free from vaccine-preventable diseases. Below are the activities that will be taking place during the NIIW which have been funded by the US-MX border Health Commission.

Columbus-Luna County-Palomas Border Health Council

The New Mexico Office of Border Health through the BHC Outreach Office provides funding for conducting NIIW activities directly to the Binational Health Councils (COBINAs). The COBINAs then send out requests for proposals, and member agencies and organizations can apply to the COBINA for money to conduct activities in their communities. Key events in the Columbus-Luna County-Palomas Border Region will include:

1. Door-to-Door Immunization Campaign: Ben Archer Health Center proposes to implement a Health without Borders/Community Immunization Campaign. The purpose of the project is to increase the rates of immunization coverage within Luna County, New Mexico, through a targeted community campaign to provide immunizations to children 0-3 years of age.  Community Health Workers and a Registered Nurse will go to targeted places within the community during NIIW, and offer on-site vaccinations to preschool-age children. Participants will receive the needed vaccines at no charge to them.  Ideas for locations include Healthy Start, Desert Sun Apartments, and McPherson Daycare.  All participants in Community.
   
   

2. Health Promotion Vaccination Campaign in pre-schools and primary schools in Juarez and Palomas, Mexico: Vaccination posters will be placed at the health department, all schools, and in businesses in Palomas, Chihuahua, MX for dissemination and promotion of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) 2012. The posters will promote free vaccination clinics being held at Centro de Salud de Palomas, whether or not they hold the National Health Card (Cartilla Nacional de Salud). Talks will be given in schools on vaccination. There will also be funding for purchasing banners, buttons, materials and equipment to store vaccines.
   
   

3. “The Importance of Vaccinations” Education Classes for High-school Moms in Deming, New Mexico: The Deming High School high-school moms with children program proposes to increase knowledge on the importance of compliance with infant immunization schedules by having local health departments, school districts, and community partners reach out to adolescent school-aged parents to explain the importance of vaccinating their young children and themselves. They propose to accomplish this by working with the parents in the Deming High School Graduation Reality and Dual Role Skills (GRADS Program).