The NBA and WNBA are teaming up with Society for Adolescent Medicine in a “Vaccines for Teens” campaign to build awareness about vaccination against serious diseases.
The campaign began yesterday with the appearance of Phoenix Suns star Grant Hill at the Cordova Primary School in Phoenix. Hill will be the campaign’s spokesperson and also appear in a national public service announcement, as will Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie.
Vaccines for Teens will roll out a series of additional initiatives as part of the campaign, including educational materials distributed through the league’s Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, and a newly launched Web site to educate teens and their parents and encourage them to discuss immunization with their health care providers.
Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton and NBA Legend and Hall of Famer George Gervin will appear in PSAs that will be distributed in Detroit and San Antonio areas respectively.
Teens are at risk for meningococcal disease, influenza, and whooping cough, which can spread from person to person during everyday activities.
“Although there are safe and effective vaccines available to help protect preteens and teens from these serious and contagious diseases, immunization rates still remain alarmingly low,” said Dr. Richard Kreipe, President of SAM, in a statement.
The pro basketball leagues’ participations in the vaccine awareness campaign is part of the NBA Cares and WNBA Cares social responsibility programs maintained by each league.
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