The Connecticut Department of
Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today
announced that
Linda M. Niccolai,
PhD, ScM, of the Yale School of Public Health, has been named
CDC Childhood
Immunization Champion for her outstanding efforts to promote childhood
immunization in the state of Connecticut. Thirty four
Champion awards were given out by the CDC this year across the U.S.
as part of
National Infant Immunization Week
(NIIW).
National Infant Immunization Week(NIIW) is observed annually April 22-27, to highlight the importance of
protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the
achievements of immunization programs who promote healthy communities
throughout the U.S.
During NIIW the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announce their
Childhood
Immunization Champion awards.These
awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of individuals who strive to ensure
that children in their communities are fully immunized against 14 preventable
diseases before age two.
“Immunization
champions and the work they do are essential to protecting our children,
schools, and communities from serious disease,” said Dr. Amanda Cohn, a
pediatrician at CDC and the Executive Secretary of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices. “We could not
achieve our goal of protecting children without those committed individuals who
promote immunizations at the state and local levels.”
Dr. Niccolai, a resident of Madison,
Connecticut, was recognized for her leadership in addressing barriers to human
papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at the patient, healthcare provider, and
societal levels so that HPV-related cancers may be prevented. An active public
speaker and publisher, Dr. Niccolai has worked tirelessly to improve HPV
immunization rates, which are lagging behind nearly all other recommended
vaccines at the state and national levels. To learn more about Dr. Niccolai and
her efforts, click here.
Dr. Byron Kennedy, Director of Health for the New Haven Health
Department shared that “We are very happy for Linda, and this is well deserved.
We have enjoyed collaborating with her and the City of New Haven Health
Department looks forward to continuing to work with her.”
For a list of other
CDC Childhood Immunization Champion award winners
