Immunizations

Our Immunization Ambassador Program empowers community members to be engaged in activities that will increase immunization rates in Cortland County. If you are interested in volunteering please email: Margaret Broderick at mbroderick@cortland-co.org

Ambassadors are community member volunteers who are trained to help spread accurate vaccine information in the community, provide input on educational resources, and attend immunization coalition meetings to ensure community member perspective is represented. Ambassadors are trusted members of the community who are understanding of community member questions and concerns related to vaccines.

The Immunization Coalition of Cortland County involves organizations and community members working together to improve immunization rates in the county. The coalition fosters information sharing and collaboration on activities that research has shown work to increase immunizations. The current focus of the coalition, in alignment with the Community Health Improvement Plan, is COVID-19 and Flu community education through marketing, normalization of vaccines, and the ambassador volunteer program.

If you would like to join the coalition email Suzanne Osterhoudt at sosterhoudt@cortland-co.org All are welcome!

Our immunization program works with schools districts to ensure they are aware of the NYS Public Health Law immunization requirements for daycare and pre-K through 12th graders in the county.

New York State requires that children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade receive all required doses of vaccines on the recommended schedule in order to remain in school unless they have a valid medical exemption to immunization. This requirement includes all public, private, and religious schools.

Within 14 days of the first day of school/daycare, in order for a child to remain in school, parents must:

Show proof of their child's up to date vaccinations OR
Provide a valid medical exemption from vaccination

New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS)

Our program woks to support the accuracy and timeliness of immunization records reported in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). The goal of NYSIIS is to establish a real-time, complete immunization record for all NYS residents. This promotes public health by helping to ensure all individuals are fully immunized. State law requires immunizations to be entered for residents under age 19. Adults should inquire about NYSIIS reporting and request that their provider or pharmacy that the immunizations they receive be entered into NYSIIS. More information can be found here.

Immunization Quality Improvement Provider Visits

The immunization program provides healthcare provider based immunizations assessments to measure immunization coverage and provide helpful feedback. This approach provides educational opportunities for providers, strengthens partnerships between the health department and providers, and increases awareness among immunizations providers. A written report is prepared by department staff and shared with the office that outlines coverage levels and suggested interventions. Many offices have participated in these assessments. If your office would like to schedule a visit please call 607-753-5028.

Some goals of the Immunization Program are tracked through the Community Health Improvement Plan. COVID-19 and Flu vaccination were selected as a health priority for the county from 2022-2024. Part of this priority is to reduce vaccine coverage disparities in the more rural areas of the county and among young adults. View the Community Health Improvement Plan to view measurable goals, what the community is doing to increase vaccination and the progress that has been made since 2022.

Immunizations

Purpose: To reduce the likelihood of vaccine-preventable diseases by helping assure children, older adults, and everyone in between receives the vaccines they need.

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