Immunization Champion Award
The Immunization Champion Award is an annual award given jointly by the Association of Immunization Managers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This award recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution to promote immunizations in their communities.
Each state honors an Immunization Champion. Each year, nominations are sent to the Department of Health, where a group of health professionals from around Washington state reviewed and selected this year's immunization champion.
The Department of Health recognizes the amazing immunization work done by so many people in this state. As such, this page shows the nominees and provides a brief description of their exemplary actions.
The Immunization Champion Award nomination process for 2025 is open from March 28 to April 28, 2025. Access the nomination form here, and send your completed nominations to OIEngagementPlanning@doh.wa.gov.
Previous State Immunization Champions
2024 Immunization Champion - Jazel Jane M. Bautista
Jazel Jane M. Bautista
Pharmacist and Owner
Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services
Tacoma, Washington
In 2023, Jazel and her five staff supported 51 community vaccination events in partnership with the Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA), the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, and 34 other community-based organization. These collaborations allowed Jazel to reach diverse populations, many of whom have been historically marginalized within the healthcare system.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department relies on Jazel and her pharmacy to support the vaccine management of adult family homes, senior centers, and schools.
As one of the few pharmacies to participate in the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program, Jazel is working with the WSPA and the Washington Vaccine Association to tackle barriers and improve pharmacy enrollment in the VFC program. Jazel also emphasizes training her staff on vaccine eligibility, patient screening, patient insurance coverage options, and patient enrollment into appropriate programs to eliminate costs for patients.
2023 Immunization Champion - Mehr Grewal
Mehr Grewal
Founder and Executive Director
Worth A Shot Initiative
Bellevue, WA
Mehr Grewal is a Bellevue High School student who founded the “Worth A Shot” initiative, focused on education and advocacy for COVID-19 vaccines. As a response to vaccine messaging not resonating with members in her community, Mehr and her organization partnered with hospitals, local public health, school districts, and community organizations to host town hall conversations and community vaccination events. Leaning into her existing community relationships and built in trust, Mehr used her voice to advocate to other youth and their families about the importance of vaccination and create educational campaigns to combat vaccine misinformation and build vaccine confidence. Mehr’s efforts to inspire other youth to provide them with the skills to advocate for COVID-19 vaccination in their communities led to increased vaccine confidence across the county and immeasurable positive impacts in the community.
2022 Immunization Champion - Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali
Pharmacist
Owner of Othello Station Pharmacy
Seattle, WA
Dr. Ali is a trusted leader in the Somali community and has been the main face of the Somali Health Board. His Othello Station Pharmacy (OSP) staff serve a large, diverse population in King County. During the 2021-22 school year, Dr. Ali and OSP provided over 60 COVID and flu vaccination clinics for schools. The pharmacy improved the COVID-19 vaccination rates of school children in underserved populations. Dr. Ali invites nursing, pharmacy and medical students who need clinical placements to work with his team, helping many students of color gain diverse experiences in providing community care.