By: Miriam Messick, ACIC Conference Chair & ACIC Member
This year’s 19th Annual Immunization Conference on November 6 started with a new venue – the RLA Learning Center in Cranberry. It was a perfect meeting place with lots of windows, an easy walking space to visit vendors, and a comfortable meeting room with large display screens for the presentations. Maybe it was because it was a new place or maybe everyone attending was just truly looking forward to the day’s agenda. I was very much looking forward to attending this conference. For many years, before being a volunteer with the coalition, I held great value in the information I learned from ACIC conferences. Today, there was a gathering of healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. Some were familiar faces that are always good to see and talk to again, and others were new, and I was happy to fill them in on any questions they had.
At the registration table, all attendees received a printed ACIC tote bag prefilled with educational information, a VACCINE T-shirt, and a hefty ceramic mug. The committee seriously worked on filling the agenda with a variety of speakers, and they were not disappointed! Many different areas of vaccine updates and immunization delivery were covered, from pediatrics, seniors, medical ethics, and local reporting on immunization delivery and infection reported in the county.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Richard Zimmerman, presenting Vaccine Confidence, Science, Policy, and Practice Considerations from the CDC’s Flu VE Network and ACIP Pneumococcal Working Group. He was so well-versed and easy to listen to and I am quite sure everyone took something back with them after his talk. Dr. Mertz presented Allegheny County data on immunization coverage. Dr. Nightengale presented the county’s new endeavor to reach out to immunize homeless and senior populations in the county. Donald Middleton, M.D., never disappoints in his presentations and keeps you ready for his positive approach and tips for getting the vaccines in arms. The infant/younger age group at risk was addressed by Marian Michaels, M.D. from UPMC Children’s Hospital, and the updates on RSV infection and prevention are now available to newborns. A different view in the presentations came from Michael Deem, Ph.D., on the ethics of vaccine administration. I found this very interesting and how some ethical decisions go far back in our government’s history. Dr. Jean Storm presented Building Confidence: Quality Improvement Organizations as Agents of Change in Vaccine Hesitancy. Jean Storm’s presentation was all about how Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) are tackling vaccine hesitancy. She explained how QIOs use patient-centered communication and evidence-based interventions to build public trust in vaccines. Jean, who is very familiar with the agencies in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, shared some real-world success stories and practical suggestions from her agency and others. She also discussed the challenges and opportunities QIOs face in this important work. Overall, it was an insightful session on how we can all contribute to increasing vaccine acceptance and improving public health.
The morning started early, and by 11:00 am, you could smell lunch vapors through the air, and the RLA did not disappoint at all. There was a hot variety of entrees and sides and delicious desserts available. Lunchtime was also a time to visit the vendors and see their products. Something new this year was a gift basket. A card inside each attendee’s packet listed each vendor and it was your mission to obtain the vendor’s initials that you visited. Cards signed by all the vendors were collected, and a lucky guest received a beautiful Italian food-themed gift basket. I think this gift was coveted by all but was a show of support from the audience to the vendors who supported our conference.
A good lunch was needed because the presentations continued, and the last was probably the most moving. I was warned that it could move you to tears, and it didn’t take long to hear Katie Von Tornhout’s story. Briefly, via Zoom, Katie told of her struggle to become pregnant and the serious RSV infection her precious 14- day old daughter Callie fell victim to. Katie spoke straight from her heart about how her life was turned upside down. The pain of her loss and her empty steps broke your heart. I’m not giving away the ending, what we heard is why we campaign so hard to get our children and communities vaccinated. But this is not the end of Katie’s story. More unexpected turns followed. She eventually pulled herself together and, with her family’s help, created a way to get supplies to other families who were going through this difficult, heartbreaking situation. I can tell you there were very few dry eyes throughout Katie’s story. I encourage you check out this link on how you can learn more and help Katie ine this mission.
Attending this conference always energizes me. All the presentations are current and enlightening and add so much to why the ACIC does outreach to educate the community and, when possible, administer vaccines at event sites. Today’s environment presents a difficulty in believing vaccines do prevent disease, but we remain encouraged and strive to make education on vaccines available to all.
It is also important to thank our vendors who made the 19th Annual Allegheny Immunization Coalition Conference possible with their support. We thank Allegheny County Health Department Medical Reserve Corps, Allegheny County Medical Society, Dynavax, GSK, Merk, Pathways Wellness, Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition, Pfizer, Quality Insights, Sanofi), Seqirus, and UPMC for Kids. The vendors and those of you who attend the conference are so important to our progress and to strengthening the health of children, adults, and seniors.
I hope to see you all again at our 20th Annual conference next year.