Building An Adolescent Immunization Platform In Michigan

Background:  Using a multi-faceted approach to adolescent immunization education and outreach, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) created an abundance of resources targeting key partners in the adolescent immunization arena.  Local health departments and immunization providers from a variety of settings will be surveyed to assess the effectiveness of this campaign. 

Setting:  Activities and outreach conducted by the Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Immunization.

Population:  Pre-teens, teens and their parents; state and local health departments; VFC providers; private providers; K-12 schools; college health centers; and other health care personnel.

Project Description:  In February 2010, MDCH launched a website devoted to the immunization information needs of pre-teens and teens. Web pages targeting pre-teens, teens and their parents, as well as health care personnel, schools and vaccine safety were developed.  A poster gallery is available on the website, which includes materials targeted to pre-teens, teens and their parents with messages that are simple and relevant to these audiences. The primary purpose of these posters is to initiate vaccine conversations between patients, parents and health care personnel. MDCH also compiled an online Adolescent Immunization Toolkit with links to resources for storage and handling, administration, vaccine safety, adolescent immunization data, and so on. The toolkit’s purpose is to educate health care personnel about vaccine recommendations and the 11-12 year adolescent platform.

Results/Lessons Learned: There are many players involved in adolescent immunization, all of whom require targeted messages and outreach in order to best leverage each partner’s strengths and assets. Materials developed and communication strategies used throughout the adolescent immunization campaign have future implications for education, outreach and partnership-building.