Take Your Best Shot

The West Virginia Adolescent Immunization Project: Take Your Best Shot was developed to address the problem associated with low vaccination rates among adolescents throughout West Virginia. In 2008 the project was implemented in seven pilot counties with the support of a FY 2008 legislative appropriation and matching funding support from foundations and businesses through the Center for Rural Health Development’s Healthy Futures Campaign. Lessons learned during the pilot project are being used to develop effective strategies for statewide implementation.  It is envisioned that TYBS will be strategically implemented statewide through development of local immunization collaboratives led by designated lead agencies in each county/region throughout the state.  Currently, TYBS has been implemented in 33 counties throughout West Virginia.  Phase Five will provide an opportunity for up to 10 additional counties to be included in TYBS.

Key Program Components

• Community-based lead agency structure 
• Development of immunization-specific toolkits
• Quarterly training sessions
• Evaluation mechanisms

Immunizations
Take Your Best Shot targets West Virginia’s adolescents ages 11 to 21 years, and strives to increase the rate of immunizations for vaccines as recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Currently recommended vaccines for adolescents include:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Influenza
• Meningococcal
• Human Papillomavirus

Phase One Participants

Phase Two Participants

Phase Three Participants