The Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging (ma4) and USAging have been honored with the 2024
Immunization Neighborhood Champion Award by the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS).
This prestigious award recognizes their exceptional work in boosting vaccination rates among older adults and people
with disabilities through the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative (ADVC).
As a founding member of the ADVC, ma4 has collaborated with over 1,400 partner organizations nationwide,
including Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and other community-based
organizations (CBOs), to increase access to COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Led by USAging, the ADVC is dedicated to
improving the health, well-being, and independence of older adults and people with disabilities.
Since May 2023, the ADVC has achieved remarkable results, administering more than 378,000 COVID-19 and flu
vaccines, including a significant 11% of first-time COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, partners have delivered 112,000
RSV, shingles, pneumococcal, and other vaccines. To support vaccine accessibility, the collaborative has provided
over 441,000 supportive services such as transportation, appointment assistance, and information referrals.
"We are incredibly honored to receive the Immunization Neighborhood Champion Award in recognition of the
tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, partner organizations, and the countless individuals who have worked together
to protect the health and well-being of Missouri’s older adults and people with disabilities,” said Julie Peetz, ma4
Executive Director. “By collaborating with the ADVC, we have made significant strides in increasing vaccination rates
and ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential healthcare services."
“It’s an incredible honor for USAging’s ADVC to be recognized with this award by the NAIIS,” said USAging CEO Sandy
Markwood. “It’s a testament to the power of this collaborative and the critical role that AAAs, CILs and CBOs play in
promoting life-saving vaccinations which are a centerpiece of health and healthy aging for all of us.”
The ADVC also works with more than 20 national partners with expertise in areas such as autism, LBGTQ+ issues and
ethnically diverse older adults to best serve people with different or unique needs.
USAging’s ADVC is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), through USAging as part of a financial assistance award to USAging totaling $74,999,835 with
100-percent funding by ACL/HHS.
Ma4 is the statewide association for Missouri’s ten Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Missouri’s AAAs play a crucial role
in supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities with the goal is helping people maintain independence and
live comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible.
