Elevating Youth Voice Through Health Education

This summer, Healthier Generation staff led a vaccine education and engagement session to spark dialogue and build vaccine confidence among students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, a STEM high school in Durham, NC. The session took place in the school’s calming room — an intentional setting to foster honest and relaxed dialogue. This space allowed for more comfortable conversations and a deeper connection between students and facilitators.

Healthier Generation staff designed the session to assess and deepen students’ understanding of vaccines and support culturally responsive health education. Participants completed questionnaires to assess their vaccine knowledge and confidence and shared feedback on vaccine campaign posters. The students asked meaningful questions about vaccine safety, access, and benefits, and suggested design ideas and slogans for immunization posters that better reflect their voices and communities. 

Pre- and post-questionnaire results showed that 100% of students experienced an increase in vaccine knowledge or confidence from the session. 

“I wish we had more opportunities like this to participate in,” said one student. “I would sign up all the time.”

Mrs. Anita Cooper, Southern’s Career Development Coordinator, helped recruit students who are interested in exploring health, education, and engagement. “The students had an amazing time, and I appreciate you working to give them an opportunity for their voices to be heard,” Mrs. Cooper said.

By partnering with schools and centering student voices, this project reaffirmed the importance of creating inclusive environments that not only inform but inspire youth to take charge of their health journeys.

This health education session was generously supported by CSL Seqirus.

Explore evidence-based resources at Healthier Generation’s Vaccine Resource Hub.