National award for immunisation team

Justin McCracken, HPA Chief Executive, Dr. Sam Ghebrehewet, immunisation lead for Cheshire and Merseyside, Dr. Rosemary McCann, immunisation lead for Greater Manchester, Dr. Ken Lamden, immunisation lead for Cumbria and Lancashire, Kathy Chandler, the immunisation team’s Senior Surveillance Officer, and Dr. David Heymann, HPA Chief Executive

There was a surprise in store for three doctors and a surveillance officer from Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West when they were named as the Agency’s Team of the Year at the HPA annual conference at Warwick University.

Drs. Sam Ghebrehewet, Ken Lamden and Rosemary McCann and Senior Surveillance Officer Kathy Chandler were presented with certificates and a piece of inscribed crystal in recognition of their expertise and professionalism in promoting immunisation uptake and improving standards across the region.

They received their certificates from HPA Chairman Dr. David Heymann who was accompanied by Justin McCracken, the Agency’s Chief Executive.

Professor Qutub Syed, Director, HPA North West said: “I’m proud that our Regional Immunisation Team has been named as the Agency’s Team of the Year. It is a fitting accolade and a just reward for their hard work and dedication to health improvement across the North West.

“This team has contributed significantly to the promotion of HPV vaccine and to improved uptake rates for MMR, seasonal flu and swine flu vaccines. They work seamlessly and effectively with NHS partners including Primary Care Trusts, NHS Trusts and NHS North West, our strategic health authority, to ensure that children have vital protection against serious illnesses.

“They have developed standards and guidelines for healthcare workers across the region. They organised a conference that was well attended and well evaluated, they provide training and leadership and they work proactively with the media to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination and immunisation issues generally.”