New York State Department of Health Congratulates Orchard Park Pediatrician for Winning National Immunization Award

Albany, N.Y. (April 19, 2016) - The New York State Department of Health today announced that Colleen Mattimore, M.D., a pediatrician with Western New York Pediatric Associates in Orchard Park, has been named a Childhood Immunization Champion by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A pediatrician for 25 years, Dr. Mattimore is a vocal advocate for pediatric immunizations in Western New York. In 2008, she founded the Vaccine Safety Coalition and launched a multimedia public health campaign promoting childhood vaccines. With support from the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) New York Chapter 1, she organized a conference to train physicians, nurses and medical students on how to best communicate with parents who are hesitant about vaccinating their children. She has also spoken with parents, schools and medical students about the importance of childhood vaccines. Her office is currently enrolled in an AAP project aimed at increasing vaccination rates for human papilloma virus (HPV).

Dr. Mattimore has been recognized for her work by the AAP, the Western New York Pediatric, Adolescent and Adult Immunization Coalition, and the Erie County Department of Health.

"Having physicians like Dr. Mattimore in New York is important to protecting our children, schools and communities from outbreaks of serious diseases," said Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard A. Zucker. "Her dedication to increasing vaccination rates has had a profound impact on the health of children in western New York. I'd like to congratulate her on receiving this recognition from the CDC."

The awards, announced during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), acknowledge the outstanding efforts of individuals who strive to ensure that children in their communities are fully immunized against 14 preventable diseases before the age of two. NIIW is an annual observance that highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities throughout the U.S.

CDC Childhood Immunization Champions were selected from a pool of health professionals, coalition members, community advocates, and other immunization leaders. State immunization programs coordinated the nomination process and submitted nominees to CDC. One winner was selected in each participating state and the District of Columbia.

For profiles of other CDC Childhood Immunization Champion award winners, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions/.