Projects

LINK participated in the KSMA state conference in Northern Kentucky by providing an educational offering to conference attendees.

March 2010 - Promotion of Free Adult Vaccines

LINK has been promoting free, federally-funded, adult vaccines to protect against Hepatitis A and/or B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, pneumococcal and shingles.  Partnerships with Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More College student health centers have been established to provide vaccines to students and staff.  Monthly Hepatitis B vaccine clinics are being held in Covington, Kentucky for the indigent population through a collaboration with Northern KY Health Department and the Nurse Advocacy Center for the Underserved (NACU).   

Ongoing 2010 - Educational Support for Medical Assisting Schools

LINK is partnering with seven area Medical Assisting schools in Northern Kentucky to provide educational support on immunizations through one-hour presentations.  LINK hopes that this training will better prepare the medical assistant upon entering the work force on vaccine administration, maintaining proper storage and handling of vaccines and to effectively provide education to patients and their guardians on vaccine importance and safety. 

October 2009-National Medical Assistant Appreciation Week

In honor of Medical Assistant Appreciation Week, LINK held an educational event for all medical assistants in Northern Kentucky.  A continuing education presentation was given entitled, The Value of Vaccines and the Role of the Medical Assistant. An Outstanding Medical Assistant award was presented to Tiffani Balero of HealthPoint Family Care who was nominated by her peers.  Tiffani won a $50 gift certificate to Life Uniform and received a Certificate of Recognition.

July 2009 - Northern KY Headstart Back-to-School Fair

LINK participated in the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Headstart Back-to-School Fair for parents and students from Newport, Dayton, Covington and Erlanger-Elsmere. LINK provided education on immunization recommendations and vaccine safety and importance.  Approximately 450 children received back-to-school packs at the event.  LINK gave parents a magnetic picture frame with the current childhood immunization schedule. 

May 2009 - Excellence In Public Health Awards

The LINK coalition joined Northern Kentucky Health Department in honoring four local pediatric offices with the Excellence in Public Health Award for their efforts to promote public health through immunizations.  The following pediatric providers received the awards for their immunization coverage rates of 90% or higher of children by age two: Northern Kentucky Pediatric Group in Highland Heights, Pediatric Associates in Crestview Hills, Pediatrics of Florence, and Summit Medical Group in Crestview Hills.

May 2009 - Pertussis Prevention Initiative

LINK began a Pertussis Prevention Initiative to promote and increase the use of Tdap vaccine among family members and caregivers of infants and children under the age of 12 months.  An educational luncheon program was held for key community members to discuss new strategies that can be utilized to reach this population.  LINK also met with the St. Elizabeth Birthing Center staff to discuss ways to encourage families to get vaccinated against pertussis and to increase family education on the disease.

December 2008 - A Call to Action

A Call to Action was issued by the Let’s Immunize Northern Kentucky (LINK) coalition at an event on December 9, 2008. Area healthcare providers participated in discussions and heard keynote speaker, Robert Tagher, MD address the issue of vaccine skepticism. Vaccine Resource Toolkits were provided to all those in attendance.

The LINK coalition created the Resource Toolkits to help area providers counsel parents on the importance of vaccines and to make informed decisions based on reliable, accurate, science-based information. Approximately 70 Toolkits were provided to local physicians, health departments, school-based health centers and hospital childbirth educators in the Northern Kentucky region.

April 2008 - Educational Packets for New Moms

In support of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), educational handouts were provided to all new moms at Northern Kentucky’s three birthing hospitals during the month of April. Approximately 450 new moms were reached with this project. Handouts included:

• Common Questions Parents Ask About Infant Immunizations
• 2008 Recommended Immunizations for Babies
• Tdap Vaccine Information Sheet

March 2008 - Vaccine Skepticism Provider Summary

A regional on-line survey was completed among area pediatrician and family practice offices and health department providers to gain insight on vaccine skepticism issues in the Northern KY region. Survey questions focused on topics including reasons parents choose not to immunize their children, resources providers use for immunization education, and areas providers would like to see LINK focus their efforts. Approximately 25 providers responded to the survey and information received was used to direct LINK’s project focus.

August 2007 - Covington Readifest

LINK collaborated with Northern Kentucky Health Department, HealthPoint Family Care, Covington Independent Schools and Wal-Mart to provide immunizations, current immunization certificates and education to Covington school children during the schools Readifest Days. Events took place at six elementary schools, as well as, the middle and high school. A Wal-Mart gift certificate drawing took place for all families who participated.

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