Immunize Colorado

PROMOTING VACCINE CONFIDENCE THROUGH VACCINE EQUITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH STRATEGIES - ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE PROVIDED THROUGH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES, WERE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. IN COLORADO, CHILDHOOD VACCINATION RATES, WHICH HISTORICALLY ARE OFTEN BELOW LEVELS NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY IMMUNITY, FELL FURTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC, LEAVING CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES VULNERABLE TO PREVENTABLE DISEASES. BUILDING FROM LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH THE COLORADO VACCINE EQUITY TASKFORCE OVER THE PAST YEAR, IMMUNIZE COLORADO SEEKS TO SUPPORT LOCAL IMMUNIZATION SERVICES THROUGH A COMBINATION OF COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AS WELL AS LOCAL PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COLLABORATION. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH RESPONSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY-BASED CAREGIVER EDUCATION, YOUTH ADVISORS AND SUPPORT OF INFLUENCERS AND SOCIAL MEDIA. ADDITIONALLY, A DIVERSE STAKEHOLDER GROUP WILL BE CONVENED TO ADDRESS SYSTEM GAPS AND GUIDE COMMUNITY-BASED EFFORTS. TO FURTHER PROMOTE VACCINE EQUITY EFFORTS, THIS PROJECT WILL SPECIFICALLY FOCUS ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, COLORADANS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, RURAL COLORADANS AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS.

THIS AWARD APPROVES FUNDING FOR THE 2022?23 VISTA SUPPORT PROGRAM GRANT DESCRIBED IN THE APPROVED PROGRAM NARRATIVE AND BUDGET.