“Expert Perspectives on Adolescent Immunization Platform Visits”

Supplement provides a timely and comprehensive review of adolescent immunization platforms, offering practical insights for healthcare providers navigating a shifting public health landscape

VENTNOR CITY, N.J., July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Unity® Consortium, a leading advocate for adolescent and young adult preventive healthcare, is proud to announce the release of a special supplement in the Journal of Adolescent Health titled “Expert Perspectives on Evolving Adolescent Well Visits and Immunization Platforms” edited by Amy Middleman, M.D., M.S.Ed., M.P.H., and Holly Fontenot, Ph.D., R.N., N.P. The supplement offers a deep dive into the evolution, effectiveness, and future of adolescent immunization platform visits and their critical role in adolescent health.

This special issue follows a Unity-led national roundtable in September 2024 that convened experts to assess the challenges and opportunities in adolescent immunization delivery. The resulting supplement features expert commentary and peer-reviewed research on the evidence base, policy landscape, and implementation strategies supporting structured immunization visits for adolescents.

“In addition to providing opportunities to vaccinate, adolescent immunization platform visits are critical touchpoints for delivering preventive health services during a pivotal time in a young person’s development,” said Judy Klein, President of Unity Consortium. “This supplement provides healthcare providers with the knowledge and context needed to sustain and improve these essential visits in the face of shifting vaccination policies, ubiquitous misinformation, and distrust in traditional vaccine information sources.”

Featured Articles in the Supplement:

• “The Historical Impact of the Adolescent Immunization Platform in the United States” explores the origins of the adolescent platform, its alignment with preventive care, and its measurable success in increasing vaccination rates and well-visit adherence.
  

• “Policies Affecting Adolescent Immunization Platform Visits” examines the implications of state and federal policy decisions, including school-entry requirements, pharmacy access, and consent laws, on adolescent vaccine uptake and equity.
  

• “The Adolescent Immunization Platform: The Past and Future” considers future shifts in vaccine recommendations—such as changes to meningococcal vaccine timing—and their potential impact on structured platform visits.
  

• “Parental Preferences for Adolescent Immunization Schedules” presents original research demonstrating that over 75% of surveyed parents favor bundled vaccines and fewer visits, reinforcing the value of the platform structure.
  

• Editorial: “The Adolescent Platform – An Ever-Evolving Construction Project” outlines the conceptual framework of immunization platforms as age-based “scaffolds” for preventive care.