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Adolescent Immunization Project

The "Take Your Best Shot: WV Adolescent Immunization Project" was developed to address the problem associated with low vaccination rates among adolescents throughout West Virginia. It is envisioned that the WV Adolescent Immunization Project will be implemented statedwide, with region by region support of local community-based foundations throughout the state. The project has already been implemented in Fayette County with New River Health Association as the lead agency.

The "Take Your Best Shot: WV Adolescent Immunization Project" targets West Virginia adolescents ages 11-21 years, and strives to increase the rate of immunizations for the following vaccines:

The Adolescent Immunization Project focuses its work on four "levels of influence" that evidence has indicated are effective in changing the behaviors of adolescents. The four program components were developed to work synergistically to positively impact immunization rates for adolescents over the proposed three year period. These levels of influence are:

New River Health Association is targeting each of these "levels of influence." A TV segment aired in December to tell the community about the project and to address the importance of adolescent immunizations. Earlier this year, letters with surveys were sent to all Fayette County healthcare providers to introduce them to the program and to obtain information about current adolescent immunization practices. Providers and nurses at NRHA have been encouraged to emphasize the importance of adolescent immunization and to use the state immmunization registry for documentation. The school based wellnesses centers have increased the types of vaccines offered and have also increased advertising and educational materials. Letters were sent home to all Fayette County seniors to remind them to get their booster shots prior to graduation. A poster contest was held and prizes given for the poster that best promoted the project message. Two of the winning posters are on display in Fayette County. Additional activities are planned for the remainder of the year.

If you would like additional information about the project or adolescent vaccines, please contact Melody Hale at 469-2905 or melody.hale@pihn.org. Additional vaccine information can also be obtained at the CDC website, www.cdc.gov, the American Academy of Pediatrics website, www.aap.org, or the American Academy of Family Physicians website, www.aafp.org