Immunization

Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

Contact Info

Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

Immunization Conference 2026

Trust in Every Dose: Rebuilding Confidence, Strengthening Communities

trust in every dose

The Minnesota Department of Health is bringing back our biennial immunization conference in 2026. The conference will bring together more than 400 health care providers, public health professionals and community partners to share best practices, learn from each other, and form collaborative relationships to strengthen their communities.

The conference will be held April 20-21, at the Heritage Center located at 6155 Earle Brown Drive in Brooklyn Center.

Objectives

By the end of this conference, you will be able to:

  1. Navigate difficult conversations with patients and families and learn strategies to combat vaccine misinformation.
  2. Describe how cross-sector collaboration can be leveraged to address immunization coverage gaps post-pandemic.
  3. Access and utilize date to understand, and more effectively direct, priority community outreach efforts.
  4. Describe public vaccine program resources and apply approaches that reduce barriers and support equitable access to immunizations.
  5. List at least three immunization best practices that can be implemented in your organization.
  6. Gain perspective on the national vaccine recommendations and what it means in practice.

Agenda at a glance

A detailed agenda with session descriptions and speaker bios will be available on the registration website.

Day 1: Monday, April 20, 2026

TimeSession information
7:30 – 8:00 a.m.Pre-conference workshop registration and check-in
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.Breakfast (pre-conference attendees only)
8:30 – 11:00 a.m.Pre-conference workshop: Building Vaccine Confidence Through Empathy
Karen Ernst, MA, Voices for Vaccine
11:30 – 12:30 p.m.Conference registration and check-in, and exhibits
1:00 – 1:15 p.m.Conference welcome
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.Plenary: From Trusted Messenger to Essential Messenger: Cutting Through Vaccine Chaos
Demetre C. Daskalakis, MD, MPH
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.Break, exhibits, and networking
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.Plenary: Trust, Transparency, and Vaccines: A Candid Conversation
Moderator: Dr. Ruth Lynfield, MD, MDH
Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
4:00 – 4:15 p.m.Break and exhibits
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Breakout sessions (five options)

  1. Vaccine Hesitancy Among Black Minnesotans: Historical Causes, Contemporary Challenges, and Potential Solutions
    Inari Mohammed, PhD, MPH, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
  2. Analytics in Action: Tools Advancing Measles Response
    Margo Wheatley MS, PhD, and Alise Mendoza MS Biostatistics Student, University of Minnesota; Ben Christianson, MPH, Minnesota Department of Health
  3. Becoming a Vaccine Advocate
    Carly Edson, MPH and Tabitha Hanson, DNP, MPH, RN, NBCSN, Minnesota Department of Health
  4. Pediatric Vaccine Conversations: Addressing Common Concern
    Tracie Newman, MD, MPH, FAAP, Medical Director, Center for Immunization Research and Education, North Dakota State University
  5. Local Public Health and Tribal Health Spotlight Panel
    Representatives from LPH/TH agencies: TBD

Day 2: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

TimeSession information
7:30 – 8:15 a.m.Registration and check-in, breakfast, and exhibits
8:15 – 8:45 a.m.MDH Immunization Program Update
Margaret Roddy, MPH, Minnesota Department of Health
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.Plenary: Not Your Normal Clinic Visit. Building Vaccine Confidence and Access in Priority Communities
Moderator: Annie Fedorowicz, MPH, Minnesota Department of Health
Panel: Sheyanga Beecher, MSN, MPH, CNP-Pediatrics, Hennepin Healthcare, Munira MaalimIsaq, FNP, DNP-c, Inspire Change Clinic, Chris Lee, Upper Sioux Community
9:45 – 10:00 a.m.Break and exhibits
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Breakout sessions (five options)

  1. Becoming a Vaccine Advocate
    Carly Edson, MPH and Tabitha Hanson, DNP, MPH, RN, NBCSN, Minnesota Department of Health
  2. MIIC Check, 1-2-3: Data Quality, Immunization Coverage, and Outreach Strategies
    Naomi Jiter, MPH and Taylor Campbell, Minnesota Department of Health
  3. School Immunization: Insights, Innovations, and Impact
    Moderator: Hanna Ljungman, MPH, Minnesota Department of Health
    Panel of two-three school immunization champions: TBD
  4. Beyond the Needle: Immunization Tips and Tricks for Vaccinators
    Moderator: Jessica Metzger MSN, RN, PHN
    Panel: Lisa Parker BSN, RN, PHN, Kathleen Thielen MAN, RN, PHN and Sarah Spah MSN, RN, PHN, Minnesota Department of Health
  5. Local Public Health and Tribal Health Spotlight
    Representatives from LPH/TH agencies: TBD
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.Break, refreshments, and exhibits
11:30 – 12:30 p.m.

Breakout sessions (five options)

  1. Yes…And, thinking on your feet, and how improv skills can be helpful during difficult conversations
    Cast members from Danger Boat Productions
  2. MIIC Check, 1-2-3: Data Quality, Immunization Coverage, and Outreach Strategies
    Naomi Jiter, MPH and Taylor Campbell, Minnesota Department of Health
  3. No Thanks Doc: Tools to Improve Difficult Vaccine Conversations in the Medical Encounter (Peer-to-Peer Vax Champ Program)
    Moderator: Jessica Metzger MSN, RN, PHN
    Panel: Maeve Williams, Vaccine Education Project Manager, Center for Immunization Research and Education, Department of Public Health, Tracie Newman, MD, MPH, FAAP, Center for Immunization Research and Education, North Dakota State University, Shar Valentine MD, FAAP, Essentia Health, Robert M. Jacobson, MD, FAAP
  4. VPDs Outbreak Response: Clinic to Community
    Moderator: Kelsey Seiler, MPH
    Panel: Gail Gustavson, MPH, Maria Pacheco, MPH, DrPH and Meghan Sickel, MPH, Minnesota Department of Health, Regina Gavin, MPH, Dakota County Public Health, Southdale Pediatrics
  5. Beyond the Needle: Immunization Tips and Tricks for Vaccinators
    Moderator: Lisa Parker BSN, RN, PHN
    Panel: Lisa Parker BSN, RN, PHN, Kathleen Thielen MAN, RN, PHN and Sarah Spah MSN, RN, PHN, Minnesota Department of Health
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.Lunch
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.Plenary: The Importance of Vaccines in Pregnancy: Safety and Effectiveness
Malini B. DeSilva, MD, MPH, HealthPartners Institute
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.Break and exhibits
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.Plenary: Strengthening Trust and Confidence in Immunization: Answering Questions from Clinical Colleagues
Robert M. Jacobson, MD, FAAP

Pre-conference cost

$100 (includes breakfast on 4/20/26)

Conference cost

  • Early bird (on or before March 20, 2026): $200
  • After March 20, 2026: $240

Registration will close on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Registration benefits

Your registration includes:

  • Full-day conference access on April 20 and 21 at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
  • Meals:
    • Light breakfast (day one pre-conference only and day two full conference)
    • Lunch (day two only)
    • Afternoon snacks
  • Access to all educational sessions
  • Entry to the exhibitor hall
  • Conference materials
  • Up to 11 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) if you attend both the pre-conference and conference.
    • Pre-conference: 2.5 hours (CEUs)
    • Conference: 8.5 hours (CEUs)

Online registration

Save the date. Online registration coming soon!

Showcase your organization and connect with conference attendees by exhibiting at this year’s conference. Exhibitor options and fees are listed below.

  • Option 1: Large organizations and vendors
    • $2,000 fee and includes registration for two people along with an 8-foot table with two chairs.
  • Option 2: Government, non-profit and community-based organizations
    • $450 fee and includes registration for one person and an 8-foot table with two chairs.

Save the date. Online registration coming soon!

For attendees requiring overnight accommodations, a special block of rooms have been secured at the Embassy Suites Minneapolis North, conveniently attached to the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center at 6300 Earle Brown Drive in Brooklyn Center. Rooms are available at the discounted rate of $119 per night plus 14.525% tax.

To secure this special rate, reservations must be made by 3/20/26. To book by phone, call (763) 560-2700 and ask to book room under the [CES917] code, or to book online visit Available Rooms - Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis North.

  • Arrival is April 19, 2026, and Departure is April 21, 2026.  Check-in is 3:00 p.m. and Check-out is 12:00 p.m.

The cancellation policy is 72 hours prior to arrival. Limited rooms are available at this rate, so booking early is recommended.

The 2026 Immunization Conference will be held at the Heritage Center; 6155 Earle Brown Drive; Brooklyn Center; Minnesota 55430.

There is plenty of free parking available.

Contact information and online registration coming soon!

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Last Updated: 12/18/2025