Be an Advocate

Calling all pro-vaccine heroes! Your voice is a superpower in protecting our community's health. If there’s a Families for Vaccines chapter in your home state, sign up for their updates to stay in the know, share the facts, and champion policies that keep us safe from preventable diseases. If we’re not in your area yet, sign up for updates from SAFE below for news about trends in public health policy, ideas for organizing your community, and ways to let your lawmakers know you’re counting on them.

Take action

We believe in the power of collective action. Just as we rely on a critical mass of individuals to protect the entire community by getting vaccinated, we’re counting on your voice joining the chorus of pro-vaccine advocates, amplifying our message into a powerful force for change. 

If you believe that we can work together to make public health a priority in every state, it’s time to get involved.

Advocacy 101

Being pro-vaccine hero in your state legislature is easy and rewarding! Here’s how you can make a difference:

  • You don’t need to be an expert to be an effective advocate—that’s why we partner with doctors, epidemiologists, and public health authorities! Visit our Resources section (below) to find accurate information from our partners about how vaccines work, why they’re so important, and tips for talking to people who might be skeptical about vaccines. Search your state legislature’s website for information on recent legislation and vaccine policies, and familiarize yourself with common myths and misinformation about vaccines, so you can effectively counter them with facts

  • After you find your lawmakers, put their contact information in your phone. Call or email to introduce yourself as a constituent who is passionate about public health. Attend town hall meetings, legislative sessions, and public forums where you can interact with policymakers. Consider scheduling a visit with your legislators to talk about vaccine policies. Building a rapport with legislators makes it more likely they will listen to your concerns and consider your perspective.

  • Personal stories about the positive impact of vaccines are especially powerful and persuasive. Think about why this issue is so important to you and your family, and share that message! Share pro-vaccine information from trusted partners (see Vaccine Information and Resources section below) and correct misinformation. Write op-eds or letters to the editor in your local newspapers to reach a broader audience. Participate in public hearings and testify when vaccine-related bills are being discussed, and provide written comments to legislative committees to express your support or concerns about specific bills.

  • If your state doesn’t have a Families for Vaccines chapter yet, check out your local Immunization Coalition and get involved. If you’re already a member of an organization, ask them to publicly support strong immunization policies or share information about vaccines. Consider hosting an event for local families who want to learn more about pro-vaccine advocacy–we can provide you with postcards to send to lawmakers and ideas for keeping folks engaged. If you’re interested in starting a Families for Vaccine chapter in your state, contact us.

Vaccine Information and Resources

  • www.vaccinateyourfamily.org

    For more than three decades, VYF has worked to expand vaccine access and debunk disinformation. You’ll find resources and stories of people affected by vaccine-preventable disease to share–or get involved and share your story.

  • https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/

    Information from parent vaccine heroes for families, including fact sheets, easy-to-understand science, and resources for building community. Don’t miss the Vax Talk Podcast or the free Vaccine Quest curriculum for self-education.

  • healthychildren.org

    Resources for parents and caregivers about the importance of childhood vaccinations.

  • vaccine.chop.edu

    Detailed, science-based fact sheets, videos, and more about vaccines, vaccine safety, and preventable diseases for lots of different audiences, including elementary, middle, high school, and college students.

  • https://www.immunize.org/

    Information for healthcare professionals, including clinical guidance and an “ask the experts” feature.

  • VaccineInformation.org

    Information for the general public developed by Immunize.org in partnership with the CDC. 

  • www.ImmunizationCoalitions.org

    Find your local, state, regional, or national immunization coalition and get involved.

  • hoodmedicine.org 

    A nonprofit collective focused on health equity and reducing dis/misinformation in BIPOC communities. Read their Messaging Framework on how to develop equity-focused messaging for intersectional BIPOC communities and catch their podcasts: Routine Checkup on the Lurie Daniel Favors Show on SiriusXM and Hood Med Chats.

  • familiesfightingflu.org

    Families Fighting Flu educates about the seriousness of influenza and the importance of annual vaccination so that no one suffers serious flu complications or death. Learn about the virus, flu vaccines, and how to protect those you love.

  • https://counterhate.com/research/the-disinformation-dozen/

    Meet the Disinformation Dozen—twelve anti-vaxxers, including Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr., responsible for almost two-thirds of the anti-vaccine content circulating on social media platforms.

Empower Your Vote: Support Pro-Vaccine Candidates

State Voter Guides are your go-to resource for finding and supporting pro-vaccine candidates in states with Families for Vaccines chapters. Informed voting is crucial, and our guides provide all the information you need to make a choice that supports public health and the well-being of our communities. Join us in ensuring a healthier future by electing leaders committed to science and vaccination advocacy. Together, we can make a difference—one vote at a time. Explore our guides and cast your vote for a safer tomorrow.

Coming soon: Voter Guides for Arizona and Tennessee.