Success StoryEXCITE 3 Adult Vaccination Education Campaign



EXCITE 3 Adult Vaccination Education Campaign

Author: Katherine Jury

Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Title: EXCITE 3 Adult Vaccination Education Campaign

Relevance: Kentuckians have a disproportionately high rate of mortality due to preventable disease; many diseases that kill Kentuckians can be prevented or severe effects of disease reduced with vaccination.  However, many Kentucky adults are missing vaccines or behind on their vaccine schedule.   In Kentucky, adult vaccination coverage rates average only 50% for influenza vaccine and 25% for pneumococcal vaccine. Coverage for hepatitis B vaccine averages 10% across the state.  Kentucky’s Covid vaccine rate is 58%.

Response: To increase awareness and knowledge about the safety and efficacy of adult vaccines, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialists created an adult vaccine curriculum and program materials to disseminate information regarding the importance of and CDC schedule for all adult vaccinations.  An EXCITE grant from the Extension Foundation was obtained, which funded targeted education in 5 counties with particularly low vaccine rates.  

Results: While education efforts are ongoing, in the 2023-2024 program year, Extension staff provided vaccine education programs that reached 1,230 participants, and educational materials were distributed to approximately 101,700 Kentuckians across the state through health bulletins, newsletters, podcasts, and social media posts.  Importantly, 93% of program participants reported intentions to either discuss needed vaccines with their healthcare provider or make an appointment to receive a vaccine.  Over 700 individuals had the opportunity to receive free vaccines at Extension events.  

Public Value Statement: Cooperative Extension is an important public health partner in disseminating information about preventative health care and vaccination.  







Stories by Katherine Jury


Botvin Life Skills Training Implementation with Students

about 4 years ago by Katherine Jury

The University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research states that the neurodevelopment of t... Read More


Preparing Extension Staff to Implement Botvin Life Skills Training Program

about 4 years ago by Katherine Jury

According to 2018 data collected by the University of Kentuckys Cooperative Extension Service Statew... Read More


Stories by Family and Consumer Sciences


Smarter Lunchrooms Movement

Smarter Lunchrooms Movement

about 4 years ago by Natalie Jones

Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and to pr... Read More


KSU-FCLTC Riders Ride On

KSU-FCLTC Riders Ride On

about 4 years ago by Carla Jordan

Frankies Corner Little Thorobred Crusade (FCLTC) is a youth development program that began in 2015. ... Read More