A new initiative by the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) housed in the College of Education & Human Development and the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) is transforming vaccination experiences for individuals with disabilities across Nevada. The Sensory Friendly Vaccine Kit Project, designed to support both children and adults with disabilities or special healthcare needs, aims to reduce fear, anxiety and stress associated with vaccinations through specialized tools and techniques.
The sensory-friendly vaccine kits are designed for use in immunization clinics throughout the state. Available for free to immunization providers, these kits contain an array of tools to help patients cope with the stress often triggered by medical procedures like vaccinations. The initiative stems from ongoing efforts to make healthcare environments more accessible and comfortable for those with special healthcare needs.
“We know that for individuals with disabilities, medical procedures like getting a shot can be incredibly stressful,” said Lauren Brown, Ph.D., principal investigator and research assistant professor for the NCED. “The sensory-friendly kits are intended to offer strategies that reduce fear and anxiety, turning a typically stressful experience into a more manageable or even positive one.”
The kits, which are valued at over $200 each, contain various items tailored to help ease anxiety and provide distractions during vaccinations. Among the included tools are fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, a weighted blanket and a Buzzy stimulator—a device designed to reduce pain perception during injections. The kits also come with a book titled "Coping Strategies for Kids Workbook," keyring cards with additional distraction techniques and a bottle of sanitizer for cleaning the kit items.
The project has gained traction since its pilot launch in 2021, when the NCED received COVID-19 relief funding from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Initially, the goal was to assist individuals with disabilities in accessing COVID-19 vaccinations. However, after reports indicated that many people who had initially wanted the vaccine had already received it by the time the funding was awarded, the focus shifted to broader issues such as vaccine hesitancy and general discomfort with medical procedures.
“We began researching what could help create more calming and supportive environments for people with disabilities,” Brown explained. “We knew we had to do more than just provide a shot. We needed to create an environment where individuals felt supported and comfortable throughout the entire process.”
In 2024, the Nevada State Immunization Program, recognizing the success and impact of the initial kits, reached out to the NCED to expand the project with new funding. This allowed the team to purchase materials for 700 additional kits and provide educational resources to healthcare providers and community partners on how to better serve Nevada’s diverse disability population.
The Nevada State Immunization Program stated the following, "The NSIP is committed to ensuring equitable access to vaccines for Nevada's entire population. By partnering with the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) and providing funding for the creation and distribution of sensory-friendly vaccine kits, we align with our mission to protect the public from vaccine-preventable diseases, including individuals who require specialized assistance to receive routine vaccinations.
"Supporting the efforts and mission of the NCED has resulted in the distribution of sensory-friendly vaccine kits to healthcare providers, medical offices and community organizations promoting public health initiatives across the state.
"This initiative aims to increase access to vaccines and related preventative health services for all communities in Nevada, particularly for individuals who experience sensory sensitivities or sensory overload, whose barrier to accessing healthcare includes a lack of sensory-friendly environments. The goal is to make the process of administering and acquiring vaccines easier for both healthcare providers and patients with sensory sensitivities, ensuring all Nevadans can access vaccines and gain protection from vaccine-preventable diseases."
The kits are now actively being distributed to immunization providers across Nevada, with each provider eligible to receive up to six kits at no cost. To ensure the kits continue to meet the needs of individuals and to evaluate their effectiveness, providers are encouraged to complete a satisfaction survey every time the kit is used. Patients and their families are also encouraged to participate by filling out a survey to share their experiences.
“Feedback is a critical part of this project,” Brown said. “We want to know which items and techniques work best for providers, patients, and families so we can continually refine the kits and ensure they are as effective as possible in supporting patients.”
The Sensory Friendly Vaccine Kit Project is an example of how targeted interventions can break down barriers to healthcare access for individuals with disabilities. The kits offer a tangible way to address one of the most common challenges in healthcare, ensuring that all patients, regardless of their personal needs, feel safe and supported in clinical environments.
The initiative also highlights the importance of inclusion and collaboration between healthcare providers, advocacy groups and state agencies to create a more accessible and equitable healthcare system. Providers who are interested in receiving these kits can access the request form via the NCED website, with kits being mailed out within two to four weeks of submission.
“We’re hopeful that this project will not only improve the vaccination experience but also help reduce anxiety and stress in other medical settings for people with disabilities,” said Brown. “Our goal is to create a healthcare environment where all individuals feel seen, heard and supported.”
