Supporting Community Immunity

Knowing your community’s vaccination rates is a great first step in boosting community immunity.

• School nurses and administrators can be valuable partners in spreading the word about disease prevention. A friendly conversation with them may be the easiest way to find out local immunization rates.
• In many states, schools are required to share vaccination rates publicly. These numbers are often available online and can be found on our resources page.

There are so many ways to help build a healthier, safer community! Here are some simple yet powerful ways to make a difference:

• Spread the word – Share reliable vaccine information with your community.
• Get connected – Join local immunization groups and advocacy efforts.
• Find allies – Partner with schools, businesses, and community leaders.
• Celebrate positive action – Recognize and support those who promote vaccination.
• Engage local media – Use newspapers, newsletters, and social media to share important messages.
• Make vaccine conversations normal – Keep the discussion open and supportive.
• Get involved with Voices for Vaccines – A great way to connect with like-minded advocates.

Now that you know your community’s immunization rates, why not share that knowledge? Reach out to local school leaders, PTA members, legislators, faith leaders, and others to highlight the importance of vaccination.

• If your community has strong vaccination rates—celebrate and encourage continued protection!
• If there’s room for improvement, let local decision-makers know that this is an important issue for you and your neighbors.

If you couldn’t find your local immunization data, consider asking your governor, health commissioner, or other officials to make that information available. A simple email or phone call can go a long way!

You don’t have to do this alone! Your local immunization coalition is a great place to find like-minded individuals and organizations. They can help you get involved in events, advocacy efforts, and even legislative initiatives.

• Have you ever attended a legislative day? It’s a fantastic way to learn and make an impact.
• Coalitions plan local events where vaccines are a key topic—these are great opportunities to talk about supporting a fully protected community.

Find your local immunization coalition and get plugged in!

Community immunity works best when the whole community is involved. Reach out to local influencers and decision-makers who can help spread the word and take action. Consider connecting with:

• School boards and school leaders
• Business groups like the Chamber of Commerce
• Rotary Clubs and civic organizations
• Faith leaders and places of worship
• Local nonprofits and community groups

Look for opportunities to engage at local events like health fairs, back-to-school events, and public forums. These conversations can make a real difference!

While many people care about the greater good, research shows that personal incentives can be even more motivating. Businesses and schools that promote vaccination should be recognized and supported!

Here are some easy ways to encourage vaccine-friendly policies:

• Leave a great review – If a business prioritizes vaccination, give them a 5-star online review and mention an excellent vaccination status!
• Choose vaccinated providers – When booking services and appointments, ask about vaccination policies. Support businesses that prioritize health and safety, and let unvaccinated businesses know why they did not earn your business.
• Prioritize a vaccinated home environment – When scheduling in-home services, kindly ask about vaccination status and choose providers who are fully vaccinated for added peace of mind.
• Send a thank-you note – A little appreciation to businesses and organizations that support community immunity goes a long way!

Not everyone is motivated by the big-picture benefits of vaccination, and that’s okay. Here are some talking points you can use to explain why community immunity is important:

• Better protection for you – When more people around you are vaccinated, you’re less likely to be exposed to illness.
• Fewer disruptions to daily life – Strong community immunity reduces the risk of outbreaks that can close schools, impact businesses, and disrupt routines.
• Lower financial burdens – Unvaccinated communities may face higher healthcare costs, lost workdays, and other financial setbacks due to preventable illnesses.
• A stronger healthcare system – When hospitals aren’t overwhelmed with preventable diseases, they can focus on providing care for other critical health needs.

At the end of the day, keeping vaccination rates high helps everyone.

Help amplify positive vaccine messaging by using the media to your advantage!

• Submit a Letter to the Editor in your local newspaper. Need help crafting the perfect message? Our Letter to the Editor Toolkit can help!
• Think beyond your local paper. Share vaccine-related blurbs in school newsletters, healthcare provider emails, or community bulletins. Consider drafting positive vaccine messages for them to use. Contact us for ideas.
• Use social media to spread facts, stories, and encouragement.

Vaccine hesitancy is often fueled by misinformation, but friendly, everyday conversations and positive vaccine information posts on social media can help shift the narrative.

Some ways to keep vaccine discussions positive and engaging:

• Model a positive viewpoint – Post about your vaccination status and your own positive vaccination experiences in a friendly, casual way.
• Help friends and family learn more – Share accurate resources in a supportive, enjoyable way. We have ideas for activities that can be learning opportunities.
• Make it fun! – Choose a vaccine-related book for your book club or host a vaccine movie night.
• We are always learning – Learn about vaccine hesitancy and how to talk with vaccine hesitant people.