Vision
For all Texans to live healthy and fulfilling
lives free and protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Mission
To support local and statewide efforts to raise
vaccine coverage levels across the lifespan of all Texans by doing the following:
Building Partnerships: Bringing together stakeholders
from across the Texas immunization landscape to share ideas, resources,
expertise, and best practices.
Communication: Establishing a foundation of
collaboration and two-way feedback between stakeholders and the Immunization
Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Education: Providing education on DSHS programs and
other topics across the immunization spectrum.
History and Today
The Texas Immunizers and Stakeholders Working
Group (TISWG) was legislatively mandated in 2004 as a response to the 2003
National Immunization Survey (NIS) data. The group was initially created to
fulfill two main objectives: To “provide support for activities to raise vaccine
coverage levels and help increase awareness of the importance of early
childhood and adolescent vaccination” and to “work with DSHS to identify and
implement improvements to the state immunization system” with an overarching
goal to raise childhood immunization rates.
Today, the Immunization Section at the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) oversees and administers this group.
Over the years, TISWG has served as a place for diverse subject matter experts
in the state immunization system to come together and connect. Membership
currently has over 200 members from all walks of the state’s immunization
landscape including pharmaceutical representatives, statewide associations,
school nurses, college students, regional and local health department
representatives, nonprofit members, community-based organizations, and more.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the
importance of partnerships and building cross-sectoral relationships to tackle
public health issues, large and small. TISWG members are dedicated to raising
vaccine coverage levels across the state through partnerships and resource
sharing, provider education and training, vaccine information dissemination,
and providing feedback to DSHS regarding state and regional immunization
programs.
TISWG Membership
Member Eligibility
Any person or organization engaged and/or
interested in immunizations in the state of Texas is eligible to become a TISWG
member. There are no term limits for general membership.
Benefits of Membership Include:
- Provider education and training related to
current immunization best practices and programs within the state of Texas.
- Stay informed on the latest in immunizations
through quarterly general body meetings, virtual and in-person meetings, an invitation
to the Texas Immunization Conference, email communications, and other events.
- Networking opportunities and resource sharing
related to current national, state, and local immunization campaigns, in
addition to resources shared with peers and community members.
- Provide feedback and recommendations through
surveys and other means directly to the Texas Department of State Health
Services Immunization Section when requested.
- Access to a monthly resource list sent out to
members via email that includes timely links and resources to support your
immunization efforts.
- The opportunity to be a part of TISWG’s
Leadership Council, the Education, Communications and Outreach Committee, or
the Immunization Best Practices Committee.
Member Expectations:
- Members are committed to promoting the vision
and mission of TISWG.
- Members have the choice to be a general active
member or serve on one or more committees.
- Attend scheduled online or in-person meetings
and conference calls.
- While not required, answering polls and surveys
to provide feedback and engagement is highly encouraged.
- At the beginning of each calendar year, members can
either recommit their membership or choose to opt out.
Are you interested in joining TISWG?
Those interested in becoming a TISWG member
should complete and submit an application to either Sarah Hay at Sarah.Hay@dshs.texas.gov or Ava Walderman at Ava.Walderman@dshs.texas.gov.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
You can send an email to the TISWG inbox at TISWG@dshs.texas.gov or send a message to TISWG’s coordinators, Sarah Hay
at Sarah.Hay@dshs.texas.gov or
Ava Walderman at Ava.Walderman@dshs.texas.gov.
TISWG Forms and Resources
For more information contact the Immunization Branch at (800) 252-9152.
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Immunization Unit Partnerships