2026 Immunization Champion Award Toolkit

The Immunization Champion Award recognizes local individuals who demonstrate exemplary service or go above and beyond to promote or foster vaccinations in their communities, for both children and adults. AIM honors up to one Champion from each of the designated immunization jurisdictions, which includes 50 U.S. states, seven cities, the District of Columbia, and eight U.S. territories/freely associated states.  When selecting their Champion, immunization programs will base their decision on the nominees meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• Leadership: The candidate is considered an authority on immunization in their community, medical system, or individual practice.
• Collaboration: The candidate has worked to build support for and increase immunization rates in adults and/or children.
• Innovation: The candidate has used creative or innovative strategies to promote immunization or address challenges to immunization in their practice, community, state, or region.
• Advocacy: The candidate is active in advancing policies and best practices to support immunization in adults and/or children in their community, state, or region. The candidate cannot be involved in advocacy activities related to funding for vaccinations.

Immunization Champions may include coalition members, parents, health care professionals (e.g., physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants), community activists, nonprofit leaders, and community-based organization members.

This toolkit contains materials that immunization programs can use throughout the launch, selection, and promotion of the 2026 Immunization Champion Awards process. For questions on any materials, please email us.

Below you will find:

• The nomination packet
• Checklist
• Email templates
• Scoring rubric
• Promotion messages
• Social media materials