NBA Cares and WNBA Cares Launch Vaccines for Teens Campaign

Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns
Vaccines for Teens Spokesperson
NBA AND WNBA HELP TEENS TAKE THEIR BEST SHOT AT HEALTH WITH NEW VACCINES FOR TEENS EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN

The NBA and WNBA, in collaboration with the Society for Adolescent Medicine (SAM) and sanofi pasteur (the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group), have launched Vaccines for Teens, a national multimedia campaign designed to educate teens and their parents about the importance of vaccination against serious, potentially life-threatening diseases.

Vaccines for Teens tipped off on February 23, 2009, at an event at Cordova Primary School in Phoenix, Arizona with Grant Hill, a seven-time NBA All-Star and member of the Phoenix Suns, who is serving as a spokesperson for the campaign. Hill, who will appear in the nationally broadcast public service announcement (PSA), was on hand for a special screening of the initiative’s first PSA. Watch the event recap and PSA!

Along with the PSA featuring Hill, a version featuring Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie will also air nationally while 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.

“Just like on the basketball court, when it comes to protecting teen health, the best offense is a good defense,” said Grant Hill, national Vaccines for Teens spokesperson and Phoenix Suns guard. “Vaccination is an easy way to help teens grow into healthy adults, so our hope is that parents will speak with their child’s health-care provider about immunization.”


Teens are at risk for meningococcal disease, influenza, and whooping cough, which can spread from person to person during everyday activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading medical groups recommend vaccination for preteens and teens against all three of these diseases.

“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. “Clearly, educational programs are still critical, and Vaccines for Teens will utilize the widespread popularity of professional basketball to reach teens and their parents with these potentially life-saving messages.”

Vaccines for Teens has rolled 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, www.vaccinesforteens.net educate teens and their parents and encourage them to discuss immunization with their health care providers.

“Vaccines for Teens is a great complement to NBA Cares and WNBA Cares, and our work with internationally recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes,” said Kathy Behrens, NBA Executive Vice President, Social Responsibility & Player Programs.

For more information, visit the Vaccines for Teens Web site.