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1993.06.10 :  National Immunization Conference

Contact:  CDC Press Office  Thursday, June 10, 1993              
(404) 639-3286

       HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala will deliver keynote remarks at
9 a.m. June 15 at the 27th annual National Immunization Conference  at
the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington.
       Washington, D.C., Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly will make welcoming
remarks at 8:30 a.m.  The conference, June 14-18, is cosponsored by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Washington
Department of Health.
       Six hundred physicians, nurses, immunization providers, other
health professionals, and organizations involved in improving
childhood and adult immunization nationwide are expected to attend.
     Secretary Shalala said, "We must do everything that we can to
protect our children against preventable childhood disease, and we
welcome the sharing of ideas and information that will take place at
this important national conference."
       Other highlights of the conference include:
     o    Results of studies to increase immunizations in inner city
          populations;
     o    A panel on new vaccine development;
     o    Congressional perspective on the Child Immunization
          Initiative of 1993;
     o    An overview of current immunization activities;
     o    Adult Immunization in 1993: Status, Successes, Future Plans;
     o    The Role of Public and Private Partners in the Comprehensive
          Child Immunization Initiative;
     o    Vaccine safety issues.
       Other speakers include D. A. Henderson, M.D., deputy assistant
secretary for health-science, in the Public Health Service; William L.
Roper, M.D., director, CDC; Walter Orenstein, M.D., director, CDC's
National Immunization Program; and Joycelyn Elders, M.D., president,
Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTHO), and
surgeon general-designee.
     Although immunization represents one of the most cost-effective
means of disease prevention, only 37 to 56 percent of children under
2 years old in the United States are fully immunized.  In some inner
city areas in this country, as few as 10 percent have received a
complete series of vaccine doses that should be received before the
second birthday to ensure adequate protection against nine deadly
diseases.  
       President Clinton has proposed a plan to increase U.S.
preschool immunization levels by ensuring vaccines for children on
Medicaid or who are uninsured; installing a state-based national
registry and tracking system on the immunization status of all
children; enhancing the service delivery system; and strengthening
community-based outreach and information programs.

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