Skip to main content

Immunization Program - Public Health Region 11

Regional and Local Health Operations

Regional and Local Health Operations

Public Health Region 11 Programs and Services

Immunization Program - Public Health Region 11

Vision

Our Immunization team, works with private and public agencies as well as community organizations, using innovative promotion techniques and expert quality assurance monitoring, protects the health of our public by maintaining very low disease rates and achieving the highest immunization levels in the state and nation.  

Purpose

The mission of the Immunization Program is to improve the quality and longevity of life for the people of Public Health Region 11 by achieving and maintaining a vaccine-preventable disease-free environment. 

The Childhood Immunization Initiative of 1994 made immunizations of preschool children one of the nation’s main health priorities. The Immunization Program of the Department of State Health Services works toward this initiative by working to eliminate indigenous cases of Diphtheria, Polio, Rubella, Measles, Tetanus, and Haemophilus Influenzae. Also, part of the Childhood Immunization Initiative is to increase vaccination coverage levels to at least 90% among two-year-old children. PHR 11 works toward these goals as well as increasing the protection levels of adults, the Immunization Program strives to accomplish these objectives: 

  • Improve the quality of vaccination delivery services 
  • Increase community participation, education and partnerships 
  • Reduce missed opportunities to vaccinate as well as eliminate barriers to immunizations. 
  • Increase the number of private providers 

Activities

  • Recruit physicians into the Texas Vaccines for Children Program 
  • Promote the use of the state registry ImmTrac2 
  • Increase participation of stakeholders throughout Public Health Region 11 
  • Conduct educational trainings for medical professionals 
  • Increase public awareness through meetings, radio, and television 
  • Conduct investigations on reports of cases of vaccine-preventable diseases 
  • Identify barriers and implement activities to improve immunization rates 
     

Additional Resources

Program Contacts

Laura Moreno 
Regional Program Manager, Immunizations 
601 West Sesame Drive 
Harlingen, Texas 78550 
Phone: 956-421-5552E-mail: laura.moreno@dshs.texas.gov 

Rogelio Hernandez, Jr. 
Public Health and Prevention Specialist III, Immunizations 
601 West Sesame Drive 
Harlingen, Texas 78550 
Phone: 956-421-5553 
E-mail: rogelio.hernandez2@dshs.gov  

Dulse Olivarez 
Public Health and Prevention Specialist III, Immunizations 
608 North Garza 
Rio Grande City, Texas 78582 
Phone: 956-487-5556 Option 2 
E-mail: dulse.olivarez@dshs.texas.gov  

Laura Zepeda 
Public Health and Prevention Specialist III, Immunizations 
5155 Flynn Parkway 
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 
Phone: 361-878-3416  
E-mail: laura.zepeda@dshs.texas.gov  

Idalia Ali 
Public Health and Prevention Specialist II, ImmTrac2 Coordinator 
1500 North Arkansas Suite 3 
Laredo, Texas 78043 
Phone: 956-794-6384 
E-mail: idalia.ali@dshs.texas.gov  

Benjamin Gonzalez 
Public Health and Prevention Specialist II, ASN Coordinator 
5155 Flynn Parkway 
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 
Phone: 361-878-3468 
E-mail: benjamin.gonzalez@dshs.texas.gov  

Maria G. Cazares, RN 
Perinatal Hep B Coordinator 
601 West Sesame Drive 
Harlingen, Texas 78550 
Phone: 956-421-5549 
Email: mariag.cazares@dshs.texas.gov 

Norma Mendiola 
Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Coordinator 
601 West Sesame Drive 
Harlingen, Texas 78550 
Phone: 956-421-5546 
E-mail: norma.mendiola@dshs.texas.gov