April 21-28, 2018

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.

Since 1994, hundreds of communities across the United States have joined together to celebrate the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our children, communities, and public health.

Click here to learn more about NIIW.                 

Be Vaccine Smart: The winners of the 2018 Vaccine Awareness Poster Contest are here! 

The Maine Immunization Program is excited to announce the winners of our 2018 Vaccine Awareness poster contest. Maine students (K & 1st grade) designed posters on the theme “Be Vaccine Smart,” with the emphasis on the awareness and prevention of vaccine preventable diseases. Maine CDC received many great submissions for the 2018 contest. 

One poster winner was selected from each of the two participating grades: Kindergarten and First Grade. The winning posters will be viewable on the Maine Immunization Program’s website (www.ImmunizeME.org).  Each winner received a Maine State Parks family day pass, a certificate, and a copy of the “Vaccines for Maxine” book.

 Congratulations to the poster contest winners:

• Anonymous - Kindergarten - Stratton School 
• Piper Fargo – 1st Grade – Stratton School

Everyone at the Maine Immunization Program would like to thank all of the students that participated! We loved seeing your artwork and what you think it means to "Be Vaccine Smart"!

Anonymous - Kindergarten Winner 

Piper Fargo - 1st Grade Winner

Reminder Recall Pilot Program

The Maine Immunization Program (MIP) is looking for practices that would like to participate in a reminder recall pilot targeting children ranging in age from 0 to 35 months. MIP will mail letters on behalf of participating practices to parents of children that may be due for immunizations. MIP will also work with practices to ensure each practice has enough vaccine in stock for the reminder recall pilot. Please call Valerie MacKenzie at 287-3862 or email her at Valerie.Mackenzie@maine.gov if interested.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

The Maine Immunization Program supports Oral Cancer Awareness Month and encourages dental and medical professionals to conduct free oral cancer screenings nationwide throughout the month. 

Studies in the U.S. have found that about 7% of people have oral Human Papilomavirus (HPV). 

In the U.S. alone, about 9,000 people each year are diagnosed with cancers of the oropharynx that may be caused by HPV. Cancers of the oropharynx are about four times more common in men than women.

Please visit the link below for more information on oropharyngeal cancer and how to prevent it:

Human Papilomavirus (HPV) and Oropharyngeal Cancer - CDC

Portland Mom & Baby Expo

The Portland Mom and Baby Expo is coming to Portland, Maine on Saturday, May 5th, 2018  from 10:00am – 4:00pm at the Portland Expo Center at 239 Park Ave in Portland, Maine.

The Portland Mom and Baby Expo is a great chance for new moms, moms-to-be, babies and families to learn about all the wonderful resources, services and products that are available to help have a healthy pregnancy, birth and new parenting experience!

The Maine Immunization Program is thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this event as one of the many exhibitors! 

Maine Immunization Program Webinar

Please join Susan Greene, Health Educator with the Maine Immunization Program for "Did You Know?: Tips, Tools, and News from MIP" on Thursday, May 17th at 12:00 p.m. This webinar will discuss: top 10 frequently asked questions from providers, strategies for maintaining compliance with the Vaccines for Children Program, new data logger requirements for 2018, provider agreement: things you need to know, what is fraud and how to avoid it, program updates, and more. 

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Conference Number(s): 1-877-455-0244

Participant Code: 8201980860