AIM, in collaboration with the National Academy for State Health Policy and AcademyHealth, formed a new Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) to support collaboration between immunization programs, physicians, pharmacists, and more. To date, VAC has held regional meetings, launched regional working groups, collaborated on resources, and maintained communications through regular newsletters.
Explore content below to learn more about VAC regional activities, catch up on VAC meeting notes and results, and access general resources. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
2023 VAC Regional Meetings
In 2023, VAC held 8 regional meetings to focus on pediatric COVID-19 vaccine access. The group convened meetings of 63 teams from states, territories, the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands, and six major cities to develop jurisdiction-specific strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates among children. Meeting attendees represented immunization programs, chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians, pharmacist associations, school health, Medicaid, immunization coalitions, and other partners, building a strong coalition of more than 370 passionate professionals who want to protect children from COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Top-line issues raised at VAC meetings included raising awareness of the toll of COVID-19 on children, improving parental and provider confidence in COVID-19 vaccines for children, and improving vaccine access.
Meeting Presentations
Presentations from each 2023 VAC regional meeting are available below.
Vaccine Access in the District of Columbia – Northeast/Mid-Atlantic VAC Presentation
At the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic VAC meetings, DC Health presented results and lessons learned from its partnership with a Safeway retail pharmacy.
COVID-19 Vaccination Perspectives: State Agencies as Tribal Partners – West VAC Presentation
At the West VAC meeting, Oregon presented on their experience with leveraging state agencies as tribal partners in an effort for widespread COVID-19 vaccination.
The Power of Cultural Validation – Frontier and Beaches VAC Presentation
At the Frontier and Beaches VAC meetings, Julissa Soto, an independent health equity consultant, presented on the power of cultural validation for immigrants and refugees.
Strategies to Improve COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Children – Southeast, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic VAC Presentation
At the Southeast, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic VAC meetings, Heather Simpson presented strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in children.
Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Parents – Beaches, West, and Mid-Atlantic VAC Presentation
At the Beaches, West, and Mid-Atlantic VAC meetings, guest speakers presented on addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in parents.
School Nurses and COVID-19 Vaccine: Success Stories – Southeast VAC Presentation
At the Southeast VAC meeting, the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) presented success stories of school nurses and the COVID-19 vaccine.
Jurisdiction Profiles
This collection of jurisdiction profiles details each of AIM’s regions. As part of the VAC project, these profiles include jurisdiction demographics, COVID-19 vaccination rates, school vaccine requirements, vaccine coverage and exemption rates among children in kindergarten, and other relevant vaccination details.
VAC West Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s West region.
VAC Southwest Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s Southwest region.
VAC Southeast Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s Southeast region.
VAC New England Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s New England region.
VAC Mid-Atlantic Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s Mid-Atlantic region.
VAC Great Lakes Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s Great Lakes region.
VAC Frontier Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s Frontier region.
VAC Beaches Profiles
As part of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC) project, this collection of jurisdiction profiles details AIM’s Beaches region.
Resources
These resources are results from the eight regional VAC meetings in 2023. Relevant materials and items created by AIM will continue to be added here.
The Case for Vaccinating Children Against COVID-19: 2024
This 2024 version contains updated information on talking points, data, and helpful resources to support decisions to vaccinate children against COVID-19.
The Case for Vaccinating Children Against COVID-19
This resource includes talking points, data, and helpful resources to support decisions to vaccinate children against COVID-19.
Template: Joint Communication from AAP/AAFP Chapters to Members
AIM has drafted a template for AAP/AAFP chapters to communicate with members about renewing efforts to protect children from COVID-19.