Four-time WNBA Champion and DOH launch a new campaign aiming to facilitate access to youth vaccination

SEATTLE — The Seattle Storm has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to launch a new campaign, “Take Your Shot,” aimed at encouraging children to catch up on their well-child visits and vaccinations. The partnership seeks to educate and push young people in the greater Seattle and surrounding areas to get vaccinated. As part of the initiative, the Seattle Storm is giving away two complimentary tickets to select games for every youth vaccination throughout the season at DOH-sponsored Care-a-Van events.

Care-a-Van is a DOH initiative launched in 2021 and comprises of mobile vaccination clinics that make strategic stops throughout Washington State to make vaccines more accessible. The vehicles make regularly scheduled appearances across all counties, prioritizing under-resourced communities and areas with a high rate of vaccine inequity. This year, in addition to catching up with immunization, youth who receive services from Care-a-Van during the WNBA season will have the opportunity to receive a pair of Storm tickets.

The Storm ticket incentive expands to communities beyond Seattle, benefitting as many Washingtonians as possible. In addition, Care-a-Van will be available on the Climate Pledge Arena plaza during all Storm weekend games for Storm fans and others who need to get vaccinated. For more information on Care-a-Van availability, visit here.

“The partnership with the Department of Health is one that aims to foster a healthy community through access to vaccinations, with a special focus on youth,” said Alisha Valavanis, Seattle Storm President and CEO. “Anytime we can promote health and wellness for youth in the region is a win. We are eager to get this campaign started.”

In addition to the “Take Your Shot” campaign, the partnership includes a variety of activities such as a campaign focusing on well-child visits, mental health and other public health areas, as well as co-presenting “Storm Into STEM Kids Day” on August 8 at Noon PT, in partnership with Pacific Science Center. There will also be additional community activation with two youth basketball clinics, and one StormAcademy session focused on health and wellness education for young kids.

“Anyone who plays basketball knows – the best defense is a good offense. As a physician and a father, I know that hitting these health milestones will set my children up for success,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health for Washington state. “We are excited about this partnership with the Seattle Storm because they are helping us eliminate barriers for families to ensure children meet their health milestones and stay up to date with life-saving vaccinations. By working together can we improve the health for all Washingtonians.”

For more information about the “Take Your Shot” campaign visit https://storm.wnba.com/takeyourshot/.

Single game tickets along with Storm Mini Plans, and Group Experiences are now available for the 2023 season. Visit http://stormbasketball.com, or call 206-217-WNBA (9622) for more information.