National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), in partnership with health departments, national immunization partners, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), takes place April 16–23, 2016. During this time, immunization advocates across the nation will join together to share and celebrate how they have protected children, communities, and the public's health through vaccination.  
 

In preparation for NIIW, the Public Health Foundation (PHF) interviewed three of the 2015 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award recipients to hear their unique perspectives on immunization successes and challenges in their states. PHF interviewed Doreen Begley, RN to gain insight on the evolution of childhood immunization, what she considers success, and what still needs to be done to improve immunization rates in Nevada.  
 
A FedEx delivery man walks into a clinic with a package…
 
Background
With a nursing career spanning nearly 50 years, Doreen Begley has witnessed her share of health-related tragedies and triumphs. As a young girl, she was deeply affected by the polio epidemic; today, images of iron lungs still haunt her. It was during those years that Doreen made a decision that would impact not only her life – but the lives of countless others. She chose to be a prevention advocate. Another encounter from her previous work at a large, city hospital also left a lasting impression. She treated a young woman infected with meningococcal disease. After the woman had to undergo limb amputations, Doreen became passionate about immunizations. She asserts, “If I can prevent a disease from occurring, I want to be a part of it.”
 
What does success look like?
Preventing disease means immunizing, and immunizing begins with children. Doreen currently serves as the Early Head Start Coordinator at the University of Nevada, Reno - working with Nevada’s most vulnerable populations: Pacific Rim/Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans. Doreen acknowledges that childhood immunization requires time, energy, money, and effort. Over the years, she and other dedicated professionals from Immunize Nevada have worked to raise Nevada’s immunization rate ranking from 50th in the nation to 37th. In the past six years, she has also served over 3,000 children with just 2 families declining immunizations.
 
Taking a community approach has been essential in her efforts, “We don’t just care for the children. We care for the parents, the siblings, and the extended family, as well.” She also believes in vaccinating those that work in close proximity with children, such as teachers, bus drivers, and food preparers. In order to effectively execute this approach, Doreen says building trust and relationships are critical. She also makes immunizing as easy as possible, including sending immunization waivers home, so she can offer immunizations in the classroom and parents do not have to miss work. All of these pieces work together to improve immunization rates in the community and across the state.   
 
What’s next?
Doreen’s work doesn’t end in the classroom. When the current Head Start class of 210 enrollees graduates from the program, she will continue to offer immunizations to them and their families on site. Outside of Head Start, she can be found at one of the many immunization clinics across northern Nevada administering vaccines to those in need.  
 
About that FedEx delivery man and the package…“He asked me to sign right here, and I said only if you sign here – handing him a flu shot waiver on the spot. Every time I give a shot, I feel like I’m saving a life!” Needless to say, the deliveryman walked out of the clinic with his flu shot, and Doreen got another triumph.  
 
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