BURLINGTON – Twenty-five primary care practices in Vermont have been recognized by the Vermont Department of Health for high child and/or teen immunization rates in 2017, while Dr. Judy Orton of Green Mountain Pediatrics in Bennington has been named the 2018 Vermont Childhood Immunization Champion by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Each of the 25 practices have at least 20 teen or child-age patients. To receive recognition, 90 percent or more of the children must be up to date with their immunizations for 11 vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles and hepatitis B. At least 80 percent of teen patients must be vaccinated to prevent meningitis, cancers caused by HPV, and pertussis (whooping cough).
Gifford Pediatrics in Randolph is one of the practices that is hitting the mark for both child and teen immunization rates.
“We take every opportunity to make sure our patients are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Joseph Pelletier, MD of Gifford Pediatrics. “We consider every appointment – from well-child visit to sick call – a chance to make sure the kids are up to date on their vaccines.”
Long-time Bennington area pediatrician Judy Orton, MD of Green Mountain Pediatrics, was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the 2018 Vermont Childhood Immunization Champion for her commitment to keeping her community safe from vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr. Orton also serves as chair of the Southern Vermont Medical Center Department of Pediatrics, where she was instrumental in effecting key policy changes, including routine Hepatitis B vaccination in the first 24 hours after a baby is born. Her practice was also one of five pediatric practices in the state recognized by the Health Department for meeting Healthy People 2020 goals for childhood immunizations.
“Medical practices and providers like Dr. Orton make an enormous difference in protecting the health of our kids and teens,” said Vermont’s Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “The people in these practices are champions in the true sense of the word,” Dr. Levine said. “By building support for and increasing immunization rates in infants and young children, they are helping to ensure that our children can grow up healthy and free from vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The awards will be presented during National Infant Immunization Week (April 21-28), an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. The full list of practices receiving recognition is below.
Practices Recognized for both Child & Teen Immunization Rates:
- Gifford Pediatrics (Randolph)
- Green Mountain Pediatrics P.C. (Bennington)
- Hagan, Rinehart & Connolly Pediatricians (Burlington)
- Newbury Health Clinic (Newbury)
- Timber Lane Pediatrics (Milton)
Practices Recognized for Child Immunization Rates:
- Brookside Pediatrics (Bennington)
- Collman Pediatrics (Colchester)
- Drs. Peter and Lisa Hogenkamp (Rutland)
- Essex Pediatrics (Essex Junction)
- Green Mountain Family Practice (Northfield)
- Joseph Nasca, MD (Georgia)
- Just So Pediatrics (Brattleboro)
- North Country Pediatrics (Newport)
- Pediatric Medicine (South Burlington)
- Rainbow Pediatrics (Middlebury)
- Richmond Family Medicine (Richmond)
- Richmond Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (Richmond)
- St. Johnsbury Pediatrics NVRH (St. Johnsbury)
- Timber Lane Pediatrics (South Burlington)
- Timber Lane Pediatrics North (Burlington)
- University of Vermont Health Network
- Central Vermont Medical Center Family Medicine (Waterbury)
- Central Vermont Medical Center Pediatric Primary Care (Barre)
- Porter Medical Center Pediatric Primary Care (Middlebury)
- University of Vermont Medical Center Family Medicine (Colchester)
- University of Vermont Medical Center Family Medicine (Hinesburg)
Learn more about immunization in Vermont: http://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/immunization
For more information about the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions
For health news, alerts and information, visit healthvermont.gov