NIIW: Keep the Momentum Going

As part of World Immunization Week, all six World Health Organization (WHO) regions will simultaneously promote immunization, advance equity in the use of vaccines and universal access to vaccination services, and enable cooperation on cross-border immunization activities in April 2016. In collaborative and complementary efforts, U.S. state and local health departments, national, state and local immunization partners, healthcare professionals and parents will promote the protection of the health of children and communities through immunization.

7 Ways to Keep the Momentum Generated from NIIW 2016 Going

1. Thank your planning committee and volunteers and provide them a NIIW certificate of appreciation.
2. Evaluate your efforts and compile lessons learned. Convene NIIW planners to brainstorm what went well and what can be improved upon for future events. Consider crafting a best practices document that can help guide your year-round immunization efforts and your planning for NIIW 2017. Refer to the Evaluate Activities document.
3. Set a date to brainstorm new activities and ideas for your immunization program with staff, partners, and volunteers. One of the best ways to generate new ideas is to harness the creativity that came out of your NIIW efforts and follow up on the ideas generated during your activities and generate more.
4. Invite new partners from your NIIW activities to the brainstorming session and keep them engaged in your immunization efforts throughout the year. For ideas, see the Build Partnerships document.
5. Continue to foster and develop community and state immunization champions. Plan to recognize the hard work of your champions through the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Awards in 2017.
6. In your year-round infant immunization efforts, use the resources targeted for
   • Parents
   • Healthcare providers
   • Partners
   • The media
7. Start planning for NIIW 2017! New resources will be added to the website as they are developed so check back often or sign up to get email updates under the mailbox icon on the NIIW web page.