School of Nursing expands mobile vaccine initiative

The School of Nursing has received nearly $167,000 in funding from the New York Health Foundation to expand its Mobile Vaccine Initiative (M-VAX), a community health project designed to improve childhood vaccination rates across Erie County and Western New York. The initiative will bring vaccines directly to where families live and gather, reducing barriers to care, supporting children’s health and helping more students stay in school.

As of Oct. 6, nursing faculty and students, in partnership with the Erie County Department of Health and Buffalo Public Schools, have already provided more than 1,000 vaccinations to 559 students.

Building on this momentum, the expanded M-VAX program will deploy mobile clinical teams to rural and urban schools, libraries, recreation centers, churches and other community locations. The goal is to reach 1,500 children during the funding cycle and reduce the number of students excluded from school for vaccine noncompliance to 5% by September 2026. The program also aims to increase early childhood vaccine compliance to 75% within one year.

“This grant reinforces the essential role of nurses critical to advance health equity and strengthen the health of our communities,” says nursing Dean Annette Wysocki. “Using scientific evidence, clinical expertise and community partnerships, nurses identify barriers to care and create evidence-based solutions that improve outcomes. The M-VAX initiative embodies that commitment.”

Vaccine access has become increasingly challenging for families with limited resources. Erie County has seen a decline in the number of Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers — clinicians who administer federally funded vaccines to Medicaid-insured and uninsured children. As a result, families who rely on the program often face long waits, transportation barriers and limited availability of appointments.

The M-VAX initiative makes vaccination accessible and equitable by bringing both public and private vaccine supplies to community sites. Every child is eligible for care, and families receive help connecting to local primary care providers to support long-term health and wellness.

“Every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy,” says Cindy Sickora, who directs faculty practice initiatives for the School of Nursing. “Through M-VAX, we’re meeting families where they are in order to remove transportation barriers, increase convenience and rebuild trust in vaccination.”

The initiative also provides vital experiential learning opportunities for UB nursing students, who gain hands-on clinical experience in both rural and urban settings. Working alongside faculty and community partners, students strengthen their skills in population health, community engagement and culturally responsive care.

Recognizing that vaccine hesitancy remains a significant public health challenge, the project will convene a regional community advisory board on childhood vaccination. The board, which will be comprised of parents, educators, faith leaders and public health professionals, will guide outreach efforts, address misinformation and promote trust through meaningful dialogue.

Outcomes will be tracked through the New York State Immunization Information System and through collaborations with managed care organizations, school systems and the state VFC director. Findings will be shared nationally through publications and presentations to advance equitable vaccine access across the country.