VAX@16 Initiative

Following high rates in infancy, meningococcal disease peaks again in ages 16-23 years. This can be prevented.

What is VAX@16?

Unity® Consortium has developed a new, first-of-its-kind campaign (VAX@16) emphasizing the 16-year-old well-visit and the vaccines that can help protect adolescents and young adults at that age. UNITY’s VAX@16 campaign aims to increase awareness among parents, adolescents, and healthcare providers of the vaccinations available for 16-year-olds, including Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY), Meningococcal B (MenB), and flu (seasonally).

During this year’s back-to-school season, the VAX@16 educational campaign will be seen by parents and teens via monitors in approximately 40,000 primary care and pediatric physician office waiting and exam rooms throughout the nation. Unity’s VAX@16 features videos, posters, infographics and more; many in both English- and Spanish-speaking versions for teen and parent audiences.

What are the Benefits?

Meningococcal disease can be severe, leading to brain injury, limb amputation, and in some instances, death. In the US, most cases in ages 16-23 years are caused by serogroups B, C, W, and Y. To protect against all these vaccine-preventable meningococcus serogroups, it is necessary for teens to receive both MenACWY and MenB vaccines. Providers have an opportunity to recommend MenACWY and discuss the value of Men B at the same time, based on current immunization recommendations for 16 year olds.

Initiative Resources

To support strong recommendations and acceptance for adolescent vaccines, UNITY has developed the following resources through the VAX@16 Initiative:

Getting teens to show up to your practice: Watch expert Dr. Tamera Coyne-Beasley discuss solutions for Sub-optimal Adherence Rates

Tamera Coyne-Beasley – Sub-Optimal Adherence Rates in Adolescent Vaccines

Guidance to Address Missed Opportunities: Identify teens eligible for vaccination at every touchpoint

VAX@16 Missed Opportunities Guide (Spanish Version Available)

Making a Shared Clinical Decision Making Recommendation: Get expert advice on how to discuss ACIP SCDM recommended vaccines

Amy Middleman – ACIP MenB Vaccine Shared Clinical Decision Making Recommendation

Prioritizing protecting your teens: Watch expert Dr. L.J Tan discuss medical society letter call to action on adolescent vaccination

Thumb-L.J--Tan-–-Medical-Society-Letter-on-16-YO-Well-Visit-and-Immunization-Platform

L.J. Tan, MS, PhD: 16 YO Well Visit and Vaccine Platform

All About HPV Vaccination. Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia talks about the value of HPV vaccine in cancer prevention

Thumb-Paul-Offit,-MD-soundbite--All-about-HPV-vaccination

Paul Offit, MD soundbite: Value of vaccines

Prioritizing Adolescents: Vaccinate at Ages 11-12 & 16. Learn about the vaccines recommended for your child at ages 11-12 and 16

Prioritizing Adolescents: Vaccinate at Ages 11-12 & 16 (2 minutes)

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Upcoming #AIAW23 Webinar: A Conversation about Vaccination with Young Advocates