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
The value of immunization for individual and community health in Washington state is recognized and results in timely immunization for all.
Mission
To foster the development, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence-based or innovative interventions to increase timely vaccination through local, national and international partnerships, with a particular focus on infants, children and teens.
Goal
To collaborate with others working on immunization related research, program design and implementation, evaluation of interventions, and communication.
Guiding Principles
- Science-based and evidence informed: Vax Northwest is working to find and disseminate effective, approaches to increase vaccine confidence.
- 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 immunizations
- 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.
The partnership is composed of leadership from six organizations: BestStart Washington, 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.
