Each year during World Immunization Week, we’re reminded that vaccines save lives. It’s a time to raise awareness, spark conversations, and recommit to protecting adolescents and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. As the World Health Organization puts it, “One child death from a preventable disease is one too many.”
Few stories illustrate this more clearly than that of Ethan Lindenberger, who made headlines in 2019 after he decided to get vaccinated as a teenager, against his parents’ wishes.
Taking Control of His Health
Ethan was raised in a home where vaccines were viewed with skepticism. Misinformation shaped his parents’ beliefs, and he initially accepted what he was taught. However, as he got older, Ethan began to question what he saw online and heard at home. He turned to credible sources, such as scientific studies, medical professionals, and public health experts, and by the age of 18, he made the decision to get vaccinated.
His decision quickly became public. As news outlets picked up his story, Ethan found himself at the center of a national conversation about vaccines, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was emerging and fueling a new wave of vaccine misinformation. This attention launched his advocacy journey—he went on to testify before the U.S. Senate about the dangers of vaccine misinformation and became a teen spokesperson for immunization, using his platform to encourage young people to make informed health decisions based on science.
Why World Immunization Week Matters
To Ethan, World Immunization Week is more than just a calendar observance; it’s a chance to start conversations with friends, family, and classmates. “It’s an opportunity,” he said, “to get on schedule with your vaccines, to ask questions, and to help others feel confident about doing the same.” We all have a role to play in protecting each other, especially children and adolescents who rely on timely vaccines to stay healthy as they grow.
Protecting Teens and Young Adults with the Right Vaccines
As we talk about protecting children, it’s important to highlight the vaccines recommended for adolescents, including:
- Meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY and MenB) to protect against meningitis
- HPV vaccine, which helps prevent several types of cancer
- Tdap, which guards against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccines, essential for reducing severe illness and community spread
These vaccines help adolescents stay healthy at school, during extracurriculars, and as they prepare for college, work, and adult life.
The Bottom Line: Stories Save Lives
Ethan Lindenberger’s decision reminds us that behind every statistic is a real person. His story isn’t just about one teen’s choice—it’s about the importance of access, awareness, and agency in health decisions. Although his family initially remained skeptical of vaccines, they have come to accept Ethan’s decision and his advocacy. In some ways, his courage has opened the door to dialogue—and even reflection—within his own family. As we mark World Immunization Week, let’s listen to stories like Ethan’s. Let’s use our voices to protect those around us!
