Childhood Immunization Champions

The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award

The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award is a new annual award that recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution toward improving public health through their work in childhood immunization.
Each year, up to one CDC Immunization Champion from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia will be honored.
Awardees for the inaugural year will be announced during National Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28, 2012.

Award Criteria

A CDC Childhood Immunization Champion is an individual who meets one or more of the following criteria:

Has provided community leadership on immunization issues and collaborated with others to build support for and increase immunization rates of infants and young children
Has used creative and/or innovative strategies to promote infant and young child immunization and meet unique immunization challenges within their community, state or region, including, for example, reaching hard-to-reach or under-immunized populations
Has been a visible immunization champion in a community and/or medical system by acting as a spokesperson, advocate, and/or educator
Has been an advocate for immunization policy advancements

Eligibility

Champions can include health care professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, etc.), coalition members, parents, and other immunization leaders who meet the award criteria. State immunization program managers, state and federal government employees (including contractors), and individuals affiliated with and/or employed by pharmaceutical companies are not eligible to apply.

Nominations

Self-nominations are welcome. Or you may submit an application for a deserving individual.
Complete pages 2-5 of the nomination packet

[780 KB, 9 pages].
Review the Checklist for Individuals Submitting Nominations to State Immunization Programs

[110 KB, 1 page].
Submit the completed nomination packet directly to the Immunization Program in the State of the applicant. (See page 7 of the packet for a list of contact information for all state immunization programs.)
All nomination forms are due to respective State Immunization Programs by February 10, 2012 .
For more information, contact your State Immunization Program (see pages 7-9 of the nomination packet

[780 KB, 9 pages]).

Selection Process

Each state will conduct their own review process and will nominate one individual to receive the CDC Immunization Champion Award. States will forward their nominations to CDC. CDC will review state nominees and issue awards.

Recognition

Awards will be announced in conjunction with National Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28, 2012. Champions will receive a certificate of recognition, will be featured on CDC’s web site, and may be recognized by their State program during NIIW.