Influenza, Pneumococcal & COVID-19

Our panel of experts discussed vaccination rates, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, social media and how to have constructive conversations. The panel  also discussed vaccine storage, how to become a vaccine provider and reviewed the utilization of the states’ Immunization Information Systems (IIS)

The Immunization Panel:

Jenny Galbraith, BA  Adult Immunization Manager; North Dakota Department of Health		Galbraith earned a B.S. in Biology at the University of Mary in 2016. She has worked as an Epidemiologist with the North Dakota Department of Health for the past five years in a variety of roles. Most recently, she serves as the Adult Vaccine Manager and ensures all North Dakotans have access to and are educated on the COVID-19 vaccine as well as all other adult immunizations
Kylie Hall, MPH Operations Director; North Dakota Center for Immunization Research and Education Program		Hall is the Operations Director of the North Dakota State University Department of Public Health Center for Immunization Research and Education (CIRE). She joined the NDSU Department of Public Health in 2015. Her work has encompassed many vaccine topics, including immunization policy and practice, communication strategies to address vaccine hesitancy at the medical encounter, immunization improvement strategies, immunization data evaluation, immunization disparities, and most recently has been working on COVID-19 vaccine planning and operations with the North Dakota Department of Health.
Tim Heath Program Manager: South Dakota Department of Health		Heath attended Northern State University and South Dakota State University where he received a degree in Microbiology. He began working for the South Dakota Public Health Laboratory in 1996. He worked in Serology, Tuberculosis and in the Level 3 Pathogens Laboratory. In 2007 he began his current position as the Immunization Program Director for the South Dakota Department of Health.
Andrea Polkinghorn, BSN, RN, AMB-BC President; Immunize South Dakota		Polkinghorn is the board president for Immunize South Dakota. She oversees the coalition achieving short-term and long -term goals and presides over coalition meetings. In addition to her role with ISD, Andrea works as the immunization strategy leader for Sanford Health, where she develops and leads the implementation of immunization strategy for all vaccinating locations. She provides oversight and consultation to over 40 medical centers and more than 200 clinics to ensure standardization of immunization practices, appropriate implementation of immunization guidelines and provides ongoing immunization education for staff.