30th Pennsylvania Immunization Conference

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This activity is jointly provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Penn State College of Medicine.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Immunization and Penn State College of Medicine presents a conference to bring immunization partners together to share information, discuss current issues and recommend strategies to improve immunization rates in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Immunization Conference targets private and public health care professionals from Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. This would include the following:

• Epidemiologists
• Family Physicians
• Health Care Professionals Working with Immunizations
• Health Educators
• Immunization Coalitions Members
• Medical Assistants
• Medical Students
• Nurse Practitioners
• Nurses
• Nursing Students
• Pediatricians
• Pharmacists
• Physicians Assistants
• Practice Managers
• Public Health Staff
• Residents
• School Nurses

• 7:30 a.m. | Check-In, Continental Breakfast, Visit Exhibits, and Network
• 8:30 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks
  Thomas McCleaf
• 8:50 a.m. | Recognition of Pennsylvania’s 2026 Immunization Vaccine Champion Awards
  Debra L. Bogen, MD
• 9:10 a.m. | Reflections on Vaccine Legacy, commemorating 70 Years of the Polio Vaccine Declared Safe and Effective
  Peter L. Salk, MD
• 9:50 a.m. | Navigating the 2026 National Changes to Childhood, Adolescent and Adult Immunization Schedules
  Patrick J. Brennan, MD

  Objectives

  • Differentiate the current CDC immunization schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule by identifying key similarities and differences.
  • Evaluate the principles and evidence that inform evidence based immunization schedules and justify their application in clinical or educational settings.
• 10:30 a.m. | Morning Break, Refreshments, Visit Exhibits, and Network
• 10:45 a.m. | Vaccines Under Attack: Pennsylvania’s Response
  Debra L. Bogen, MD

  Objectives

  • Describe current immunization trends in Pennsylvania and national levels.
  • Discuss recent updates to vaccine recommendations and schedules.
  • Describe Pennsylvania’s responses to public health threats to vaccine policy.
• 11:30 a.m. | More Than Just the Flu: Ian’s Story
  Julie Moise

  Objectives

  • Describe the severity and potential complications of influenza to reinforce the impact of flu-related illness.
  • Explain the importance of influenza vaccination as an effective strategy to prevent serious illness and improve public health outcomes.
• Noon | Lunch, Visit Exhibits, and Networking
• 1 p.m. | Polio: The Truth Behind this Terrible Disease
  Carol Ferguson and Pennsylvania Polio Survivors Network

  Objectives

  • Describe polio’s long-term effects and define Post-Polio Syndrome.
  • Identify key caregiver strategies for supporting polio survivors.
  • Explain why polio vaccination remains essential in the U.S. and globally.
• 1:20 p.m. | Shoring Up Trust in Childhood Vaccines: Communication Strategies that Work (Differently)
  Julie Sweetland, PhD

  Objectives

  • Identify and avoid specific framing traps that inadvertently reinforce vaccine misinformation.
  • Apply research-backed metaphors and messages to explain the immune system and community protection more effectively.
  • Adapt to a changing information ecosystem by contributing to conversations in the public square.
• 2:05 p.m. | Hepatitis B in Pennsylvania
  Lauren Orkis, DrPH

  Objectives

  • Describe the epidemiology of hepatitis B in Pennsylvania.
  • Identify hepatitis B prevention and control strategies.
• 2:35 p.m. | Two Organizations, One Goal: Boosting Immunization Practices Through System Wide Immunization Quality Improvement Program (IQIP) and Strategies That Work
  Crystal Balberchak, LPN
  Sharon Wardlaw, MSN, RN

  Objectives

  • Explain the purpose of IQIP and describe how it can be implemented using an organization-wide approach.
  • Describe the benefits of implementing an organization-wide IQIP approach.
  • Analyze immunization data to identify gaps and prioritize target areas.
  • Implement workflow strategies that improve efficiency and streamline vaccine delivery within the office setting.
• 3:15 p.m. | Afternoon Break, Refreshments, Visit Exhibits, and Network
• 3:30 p.m. | Measles and Vaccine Preventable Disease Outbreaks
  Atmaram (Ram) Nambiar, MD, MPH

  Objectives

  • Explain the Epidemiology of Measles in Pennsylvania.
  • Review other significant outbreaks of typical Vaccine Preventable Disease in Pennsylvania, comparison to nationwide (as of June 2026).
• 4 p.m. | Effective Strategies for Reducing Vaccine Waste and Improving Storage and Handling
  Beth Smith, BSN, RN
  Dan Miller

  Objectives

  • Identify causations of temperature excursions with the potential to affect vaccine viability.
  • Develop strategies for preventing temperature excursions.
• 4:20 p.m. | In-person Attendee Recognitions and Closing Remarks
  Thomas McCleaf
• 4:30 p.m. | Adjourn

Crystal Balberchak, LPN
Accreditation and Licensure Specialist
WellSpan Health

Debra L. Bogen, MD
Acting Secretary of Health
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Patrick J. Brennan, MD
Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Professor of Medicine
Perelman School of Medicine
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Carol Ferguson
Founder
PA Polio Survivors Network

Thomas “Tom” McCleaf
Director, Bureau of Immunizations
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Dan Miller
Public Health Program Administrator
Division of Vaccine Operations and Provider Services
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Julie Moise
Co-Founder and President
Ian’s Rainbow Flu Foundation

Atmaram (Ram) Nambiar, MD, MPH
Director, Division of Infectious Disease Investigations
Bureau of Epidemiology
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Lauren Orkis, DrPH
Epidemiologist Supervisor
Bureau of Epidemiology
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Peter L. Salk, MD
Professor and President
The Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation
Faculty in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

Beth Smith, RN, BSN
Immunization Nurse Consultant
Bureau of Immunizations
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Julie Sweetland, PhD
Senior Advisor
FrameWorks Institute

Sharon Wardlaw, MSN, RN
Director of Clinical Operations
UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics

AMA

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Penn State College of Medicine and The Pennsylvania Department of Health. Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses Using AMA Credit

Nurses will receive a certificate from Penn State College of Medicine verifying their participation in 6 hours of approved continuing medical education. Continuing education activities which are approved by accredited institutions of higher education and that are relevant to patient care or professional nursing meet the requirements of mandatory continuing education for registered nurses in Pennsylvania, as required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing recommends that nurses retain their certificates for a period of at least five years. Additional information is available through the State Board of Nursing.

Social Work

Penn State is an approved provider as defined by Pa. Code Sections 47.36(a)(3), 48.36(a)(3), and 49.36(a)(3). Social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors licensed by the state of Pennsylvania can earn 6 clock hours of continuing education for completing this course.

ACPE

This activity has applied for ACPE credit.

The fee is $170 per person for in-person attendance or $85 per person for virtual attendance and includes the cost of instruction, online handout materials and all listed meals.

Payment is required at the time of registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Registrations received after Wednesday, June 17, will incur a $25 late fee.

Cancellations received after Thursday, June 11, will be assessed a $25 processing fee.

No refunds will be made for cancellations, or switching from in-person to virtual received after Monday, June 15.

Accommodations are the responsibility of the program participant. A list of lodging in the Hershey area is available online.

A limited number of rooms at a special rate have been secured at the following locations. Check in 6/17/2026 – Check out 6/18/2026. Reservations must be made by 5/17/2026. The link will no longer quote the group rate after 5/17/2026:

Best Western Plus Hershey
1800 E Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033
Name of Group: PA Immunization Conference

Holiday Inn Express Hershey (Harrisburg Area)
610 Walton Ave., Hummelstown, PA 17036
Name of Group: PA Immunization Conference

Spark by Hilton Hershey Near the Park
181 Hershey Rd., Hershey, PA 17033
Name of Group: PA Immunization Conference

A completed evaluation is required in order to receive a certificate for attending this activity. Please complete and submit the evaluation within the specified time frame.

The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund any program registration fees paid but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Program registrants who are experiencing illness or have been exposed to anyone who is ill should contact the Continuing Education office before attending any in-person activities.

Content and speakers for all programs are subject to change. Registrants will be notified of any significant updates.

On-campus educational activities provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education are required to follow healthcare facility guidelines. Off-campus events provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education follow the COVID-19 requirements of that venue. We ask that all participants respect that some attendees may still choose to wear masks for activities. Check the venue website for the latest requirements and recommendations. Please do not attend this activity if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. By attending the activity, you attest that you do not have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, which may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, loss of smell or any other sign of illness.

Penn State encourages people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Participants who anticipate needing any type of special accommodation or who have questions about the physical access provided should contact the Continuing Education office at least one week in advance of participation or visit.

It is Penn State policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Penn State has a process in place to mitigate any relevant financial relationships with commercial companies disclosed by faculty, course directors and planning committee members. Complete disclosure information will be provided to participants at the beginning of the activity.

This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, genetic information, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status and retaliation due to the reporting of discrimination or harassment. Discrimination, harassment or retaliation against faculty, staff or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the Nondiscrimination Policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; 814-863-0471 (TTY). US M.Ed. J7062