LYME/OLD LYME/AREAWIDE — August is National Immunization Awareness Month and appropriately, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) has just heard that it has been awarded a $100,256 grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to implement the “SECT Immunization Action Program (SECT-IAP).” This is the first of a five-year grant.
Over the next five years, LLHD will work with local health care providers, schools, community organizations and parents to increase childhood immunizations rates across southeast Connecticut (SECT) and successfully link children at risk (for childhood diseases) to a medical home so their immunizations may be tracked.
“Ledge Light Health District is thrilled to receive this CT Department of Public Health grant, an affirmation of the long-range objectives of the District to prevent childhood diseases through the delivery of on-time vaccines for all children,” said Director of Health Stephen Mansfield.
He continued, “In addition to a robust IAP program, our growing Hispanic communities will benefit from the addition of a new bilingual/bicultural Community Health Worker, who will assist families in navigating the health care system and ensuring their children are vaccinated.”
The IAP grant will fund a unique public awareness campaign aimed at educating parents about the importance of getting vaccines that protect children from over 14 diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus, etc.
The project will also provide assessments in pediatric practices to improve vaccine delivery, and an outreach and tracking program using the statewide immunization information system known as “CT WiZ”.
The learn more, visit the CT Department of Public Health website.
To request a free copy of your or your child’s immunizations contact 860-509-7929.
For more information on the SECT-IAP Program, contact Cindy Barry, Senior Program Coordinator at 860-448-4883.
Editor’s Note: Ledge Light Health District – LLHD – serves as the local health department for Lyme and Old Lyme along with East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, New London, North Stonington, Stonington and Waterford, Conn. As a health district, formed under Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-241, LLHD is a special unit of government, allowing member municipalities to provide comprehensive public health services to residents in a more efficient manner by consolidating the services within one organization.