Healthcare workers are asking the question, “Beyond my daily clinical role, what else can I do to help with the current vaccine landscape?” One of our recurring answers is “Get involved through advocacy.” As misinformation spreads quickly and policy debates are reshaping vaccine access, our voices are needed at every level — from the exam room to the halls of Congress. The good news is that advocacy doesn’t always require a large time commitment; even small, consistent actions can make a difference.
The good news is that advocacy doesn’t always require a large time commitment; even small, consistent actions can make a difference. Advocacy means actively supporting or speaking out for a cause, idea or policy to bring about change. It can have different goals, including raising awareness, influencing decision-makers, or organizing community or colleague efforts. Here are five practical ways all healthcare providers can advocate for vaccines in the current landscape.
1. Advocacy in direct patient care
Every time a provider talks with a family questioning vaccines and moves them toward vaccine acceptance, that provider is advocating for the patient. Particularly for young children who don’t yet have a voice, providers serve as their advocates by confidently recommending vaccines, ensuring availability, and helping families navigate coverage through insurance or the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
2. Advocacy within a practice or health system
Within a given practice setting, whether a standalone or system-based practice, a pharmacy, or a public health or mobile clinic, logistical obstacles can stand in the way of vaccine access. Now, more than ever, is the time to push for structural changes that make vaccine access easier. This may mean implementing standing orders or a reminder-recall system; investing time and money to update the electronic health record platform, such as by adding effective decision support; serving on quality improvement initiatives; evaluating when and how vaccines are available; or leading educational campaigns, town halls, or vaccine-dedicated call-in hours. Advocacy may also mean asking for more time to get this work done well. Finally, practices and health systems that negotiate with insurance companies can continue to advocate for coverage of vaccines.
3. Advocacy in the local community
Healthcare providers are highly trusted voices in their local communities. Depending on the active issues in your area, you may serve as an advocate by attending a school board meeting, working with early childhood education centers, writing an op-ed or doing an interview for local news stations or reporters, or supporting and amplifying local health department campaigns. Many providers find local advocacy particularly rewarding because the results — higher coverage rates, reduced outbreaks and better trust — are personally visible.
4. State and local government advocacy
Much of vaccine policy decision-making occurs at the state level, including school entry requirements and exemption laws. At the most fundamental level, healthcare providers can make their views known by writing to elected officials. Providing (de-identified) anecdotes from your clinical experience can help lawmakers understand the realities of clinical care and constraints, for both providers and patients, in the current healthcare system. Likewise, personal stories are powerful and persuasive because they bring abstract numbers to life. Beyond that, providers can use their expertise to support legislation by directly meeting with legislators or providing testimony at hearings. Large healthcare systems may have government affairs teams who can connect providers with opportunities to testify, join coalitions or meet directly with legislators.
5. Federal and national advocacy
Healthcare providers can engage personally by submitting comments to the ACIP or to federal agencies in advance of meetings. Many national societies, such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) and others also have advocacy groups and dedicated staff to help organize efforts. American Families for Vaccines, previously known as SAFE Communities Coalition, is a national vaccine-related advocacy group that works at both the state and federal level. Whether you are in a career without an active professional society or whether you want to focus on vaccine-specific advocacy, this group offers a great place to make a difference.
Decide what method is right for you. Then, take the step. Whether one patient, one legislator or one community, your advocacy will help strengthen the foundation of vaccine confidence during this time of unprecedented upheaval.
Healthcare workers are asking the question, “Beyond my daily clinical role, what else can I do to help with the current vaccine landscape?” One of our recurring answers is “Get involved through advocacy.” As misinformation spreads quickly and policy debates are reshaping vaccine access, our voices are needed at every level — from the exam room to the halls of Congress. The good news is that advocacy doesn’t always require a large time commitment; even small, consistent actions can make a difference.
The good news is that advocacy doesn’t always require a large time commitment; even small, consistent actions can make a difference. Advocacy means actively supporting or speaking out for a cause, idea or policy to bring about change. It can have different goals, including raising awareness, influencing decision-makers, or organizing community or colleague efforts. Here are five practical ways all healthcare providers can advocate for vaccines in the current landscape.
1. Advocacy in direct patient care
Every time a provider talks with a family questioning vaccines and moves them toward vaccine acceptance, that provider is advocating for the patient. Particularly for young children who don’t yet have a voice, providers serve as their advocates by confidently recommending vaccines, ensuring availability, and helping families navigate coverage through insurance or the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
2. Advocacy within a practice or health system
Within a given practice setting, whether a standalone or system-based practice, a pharmacy, or a public health or mobile clinic, logistical obstacles can stand in the way of vaccine access. Now, more than ever, is the time to push for structural changes that make vaccine access easier. This may mean implementing standing orders or a reminder-recall system; investing time and money to update the electronic health record platform, such as by adding effective decision support; serving on quality improvement initiatives; evaluating when and how vaccines are available; or leading educational campaigns, town halls, or vaccine-dedicated call-in hours. Advocacy may also mean asking for more time to get this work done well. Finally, practices and health systems that negotiate with insurance companies can continue to advocate for coverage of vaccines.
3. Advocacy in the local community
Healthcare providers are highly trusted voices in their local communities. Depending on the active issues in your area, you may serve as an advocate by attending a school board meeting, working with early childhood education centers, writing an op-ed or doing an interview for local news stations or reporters, or supporting and amplifying local health department campaigns. Many providers find local advocacy particularly rewarding because the results — higher coverage rates, reduced outbreaks and better trust — are personally visible.
4. State and local government advocacy
Much of vaccine policy decision-making occurs at the state level, including school entry requirements and exemption laws. At the most fundamental level, healthcare providers can make their views known by writing to elected officials. Providing (de-identified) anecdotes from your clinical experience can help lawmakers understand the realities of clinical care and constraints, for both providers and patients, in the current healthcare system. Likewise, personal stories are powerful and persuasive because they bring abstract numbers to life. Beyond that, providers can use their expertise to support legislation by directly meeting with legislators or providing testimony at hearings. Large healthcare systems may have government affairs teams who can connect providers with opportunities to testify, join coalitions or meet directly with legislators.
5. Federal and national advocacy
Healthcare providers can engage personally by submitting comments to the ACIP or to federal agencies in advance of meetings. Many national societies, such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) and others also have advocacy groups and dedicated staff to help organize efforts. American Families for Vaccines, previously known as SAFE Communities Coalition, is a national vaccine-related advocacy group that works at both the state and federal level. Whether you are in a career without an active professional society or whether you want to focus on vaccine-specific advocacy, this group offers a great place to make a difference.
Decide what method is right for you. Then, take the step. Whether one patient, one legislator or one community, your advocacy will help strengthen the foundation of vaccine confidence during this time of unprecedented upheaval.