http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=21363

 

 

10/08/2007

Roll Up Your Sleeve

Staff

State Capitol

 

 First Lady Promotes Immunizations For Those 11-21

 

Children and senior citizens are the two groups most thought about when it comes to immunizations, but there's an effort underway in West Virginia to change that.  A program called "Take Your Best Shot", the West Virginia Adolescent Immunization Project, was unveiled Monday at the state capitol. It's an effort by The Center for Rural Health Development and the West Virginia Immunization Network to promote immunizations for adolescents ages 11-21.

 

First Lady Gayle Manchin says a public-private partnership will help fund the pilot project that will emphasize the immunizations in seven counties.

 

"We accomplish so much more when we work together," Mrs. Manchin said, "That's bringing our private enterprise, foundations, non-profits together with our public entities."

 

The West Virginia Immunization Network says age-appropriate immunizations for adolescents are important for many reasons including a "waning in effectiveness of certain pre-school vaccinations over time, and increased exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases during adolescence."

 

Mrs. Manchin says making sure those between 11-21 get their shots before they attract things like meningitis can be life saving.

 

"If we can promote immunizations to prevent that then we are taking that very good pro-active stance, which is so important," she said.

 

The counties participating in the pilot project include Marion, Raleigh, Kanawha, Fayette, Lincoln, Wayne and Tucker.  Organizers hope to have statewide implementation in the next three to four years.

 

For more information call 304-397-4071.