Vaccines on Fire - Successes and Challenges

Diane C. Peterson is the Associate Director for Immunization Projects at Immunization Action Coalition. Ms. Peterson is one of Minnesota's longest serving leaders in saving children's lives through safe and effective immunization. Peterson's career in immunization, spanning nearly 40 years, has been devoted to increasing the number of children, in Minnesota and nationally, who are immunized and to improving the safety and effectiveness with which vaccines are delivered to them. She has led major projects at the Minnesota Department of Health including developing policies to equitably distribute vaccine resources to children statewide, working with legislators to ensure passage of laws that increase immunization rates in childcare facilities and schools, helping initiate Minnesota's immunization registry, creating the initial plan for Minnesota's implementation of the federal Vaccines For Children program, developing innovative education materials for healthcare professionals and the public, and promoting immunization to the media, parents, and others through her role as an MDH spokesperson. In 2012, she was selected as the Minnesota recipient of the first annual Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Immunization Champion Award. The Champion Award recognizes individuals who are working at the community level. It honors those who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to promote or foster childhood immunizations in their communities.

This meeting will take place at PRISM, 1220 Zane Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55422.