The Cancer Program at Parkland Health has been honored with the prestigious 2023-2024 Laura Scott Outstanding Influenza Season Activities Award by the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS). This accolade was presented in recognition of Parkland’s exemplary efforts in improving vaccination rates and practices during the influenza season.
The NAIIS Immunization Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing vaccination within their communities. Parkland was selected for its exceptional initiatives aimed at enhancing influenza immunization awareness, access, and administration rates for both patients and staff.
Accepting the award on behalf of Parkland was Andrea Semlow, MS, MPH, Global Program Manager of Cancer Prevention, Screening and Care Integration, and Iza Delgado, RN, Oncology Infusion Therapy Nurse.
“I am incredibly proud of our team’s dedication to safeguarding our patients and staff through enhanced vaccination practices,” Semlow said. “Our commitment to flu and COVID-19 vaccinations has had a profound impact on the health of our patients with cancer and their families.”
Parkland’s Cancer Program made significant strides in improving adult vaccination rates through a series of innovative quality improvement initiatives funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). These included comprehensive adult vaccination status assessments, targeted recommendations for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines and streamlined vaccine administration processes. Notably, the program implemented nurse-driven initiatives with designated nursing staff to boost vaccination administration efforts with hesitant patients.
As a result of these initiatives, the Cancer Program saw a remarkable increase in vaccine assessment rates, rising from 6% to 87%. Additionally, the proportion of medical oncology clinic patients who were up to date on their influenza vaccine improved from 37.8% during the 2022-2023 flu season to 49.5% in the 2023-2024 season.
For Delgado, the opportunity to serve as a “vaccine champion” for this initiative was incredibly personal. Having lost a sister to cancer, she understands the importance of protecting this vulnerable patient population. “Vaccines are an invisible layer of protection; we may not be able to see them, but they are a key piece in preventing severe illness. I was very passionate to have had to the chance to explain this to my patients and encourage them to safeguard themselves,” she said.
For people with cancer or a history of cancer, the flu and other infections like pneumococcal disease, can be dangerous because cancer and cancer treatments can weaken the immune system. Parkland providers encourage patients to get their flu immunization this year and to stay up to date on other recommended adult immunizations. Talk to your healthcare provider about what adult immunizations are recommended to protect you and your loved ones.
To learn more about the flu and where to get your shot, visit parklandhealth.org/flu.
For more information on the services provided at Parkland, please visit our website at www.parklandhealth.org.
About the National Adult & Influenza Immunization Summit
Founded in 2000 (originally as the National Influenza Vaccine Summit), the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit is an action-oriented coalition with over 700 members from more than 130 public and private organizations. The Summit focuses on addressing and resolving issues related to influenza and adult vaccinations, aiming to improve vaccination rates for vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. For more information, visit www.izsummitpartners.org.
