Vax Northwest
Reluctance to immunize is putting our communities at risk for outbreaks of vaccine preventable disease. Vax Northwest was formed in 2008, recognizing the need for scientifically evaluated interventions promoting vaccine confidence. We are proud to have raised millions of dollars to conduct two major research projects focusing on vaccine hesitancy. Past projects have focused on parents and pediatric providers; we are excited to be developing future work to examine the role of prenatal providers in influencing vaccine decision-making.
Vision
Through equitable vaccine access and strengthened motivation for timely vaccinations, Washington state individuals and communities experience improved health and wellbeing.
Mission
To facilitate the development, research, implementation, and dissemination of interventions to increase timely and equitable vaccination through local,
national, and international partnerships and the integration of
community voices.
Guiding Principles
- Science-based and evidence informed: Vax Northwest is working to find and disseminate effective and equitable approaches to increase vaccine acceptance.
- Work in partnership: Vax Northwest is a unique cross-sector partnership that brings together expertise in preventive medicine, infectious disease, public health, social marketing, health behavior and resources. Partners are a key messenger and play an important role in providing a credible and unified voice supporting timely vaccination.
- Act as an incubator: Vax Northwest is uniquely positioned to act as an incubator and/or catalyst for vaccination-specific projects and ideas. The Partnership may provide guidance and support to outside partners and individual members’
projects and initiate and propel forward collaborative work in response to an identified need (as funding and capacity allows). - Independent of funding from those who manufacture and market vaccines: To remain independent and avoid conflict of interest, Vax Northwest does NOT accept financial support from the pharmaceutical industry or other entities that manufacture and market vaccines.
- Health Equity: Vax Northwest commits to centering health equity from incubation and development through implementation and dissemination of interventions. The Partnership embraces Targeted Universalism and other frameworks to operationalize collaborative projects in an inclusive, equitable, and bridging manner. The committee holds external partners and guest speakers to this standard as well.
The partnership is composed of leadership from five organizations: the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente, Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Washington State Department of Health, and WithinReach. WithinReach staffs and supports the partnership, ensuring that it is guided by a clear mission and body of work.
If you are interested in learning more about or getting involved with Vax Northwest, please contact us.
