Families for Vaccines Chapters
Since 2020, SAFE has worked closely with local experts, advocates, and volunteers to launch Families for Vaccines chapters in nine states. We’re growing every day, and we’d love to talk to you about how we can help advance pro-vaccine policy and support immunization efforts in your state.
Arizona Families for Vaccines
In 2023, Arizona Families for Vaccines launched with strong support from The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) and quickly developed a legislative strategy to combat 13 anti-vaccine bills. Their first Day of Advocacy brought more than 40 advocates to the State House for ten meetings with lawmakers, including many healthcare providers who were new to direct advocacy. AZFV has established partnerships with key organizations, including the Arizona Medical Association and the AZ Children’s Alliance. AZFV is focused on bringing accurate and reliable information to our legislators and pro-vaccine advocates to empower them to combat the misinformation rampant at the Capitol.
Founded: 2023
Total number of vaccine-related bills monitored: 13
Total number of anti-vaccine bills defeated: 13
Attendees at 2024 Day of Advocacy: 40
Recent events and activities: Worked with experts at the University of Arizona to educate members of the agricultural community about mRNA vaccine safety and science. Road-tripped throughout the state to spread awareness about AZFV to our Healthcare Partners in rural areas of Arizona. Attended the AZ School Nurse Conference to show our support to the providers keeping our children safe at school.
Colorado Families for Vaccines
Formerly known as the Colorado Immunization Association, the chapter rebranded as Colorado Families for Vaccines in 2023 and hit the ground running. Building on many years of excellence in advocacy, COFV reinvigorated Colorado’s pro-vaccine advocacy efforts and brought together key organizations focused on public health. The chapter’s first Day of Advocacy drew dozens of advocates and distributed information to every legislator and the governor.
Founded: 2023
Total number of vaccine-related bills monitored: 1
Total number of anti-vaccine bills defeated: 1
Key partners: Immunize Colorado, Latinos Unidos for Vaccines
Recent events and activities: 2024 COFV Day of Appreciation for lawmakers and staff
Colorado’s Day of Appreciation for lawmakers and staff was held in April of this year in coordination with Immunize Colorado and Latinos Unidos for Vaccines. The event drew a large and diverse group of advocates who distributed immunization information to all 100 lawmakers and were recognized by both the House and Senate leaders in the legislative chambers.
Louisiana Families for Vaccines
Founded in 2022, Louisiana Families for Vaccines monitored 40 anti-vaccine bills in its first year, all of which were defeated. The chapter has hosted three Days of Advocacy, convening a diverse group of partner organizations and bringing dozens of advocates to the State House. In 2024, the organization monitored 23 vaccine-related bills and worked with partners, including the Louisiana AAP, Louisiana Vaccine Alliance, the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans, and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, among many others, to testify on key bills and develop a legislative strategy.
Founded: 2022
Total number of vaccine-related bills monitored: 71
Total number of anti-vaccine bills defeated: 61
Attendees at 2024 Day of Advocacy: 40
Emails sent to legislators in 2024: 11,288
Recent events and activities: Participated in over 20 partnership events in 2023, educating legislators and the community about the value of vaccines.
Maine Families for Vaccines
In 2019, a group of concerned parents formed Maine Families for Vaccines after the state experienced outbreaks of whooping cough, mumps, and chicken pox in schools and daycares. MEFV and a coalition of 64 leading healthcare and nonprofit organizations defended Maine’s vaccine law against a referendum attempt by anti-vaccine activists and led the campaign to a 73% victory after a statewide vote. Today, MEFV is focused on supporting implementation of the law, combatting vaccine misinformation targeted at communities of color, and increasing access to vaccination.
Founded: 2019
Awards: Maine Association of Public Health President's Award, 2019
Laws enacted: PL 154 removed non-medical exemptions to childhood vaccine laws
Recent events and activities: MEFV’s 2024 Day of Advocacy included 16 partner organizations, many focused on health outcomes for children, new immigrants, and low income families.
Massachusetts Families for Vaccines
The Commonwealth is known for its strong emphasis on healthcare and education, coupled with a history of strong public health policies. The state’s high concentration of medical research institutions and universities provides a foundation for scientific support and collaboration. MAFV is closely partnered with the March of Dimes and other organizations focused on health and advocacy for children. The chapter has organized volunteers and testified in support of bills to remove the loophole from its school-ready vaccine law, which, if passed, would make Massachusetts a national leader in public health protections for children and families.
Founded: 2022
Key legislation: H.604 and S.1391 would eliminate non-medical exemptions for school-required vaccines.
Recent events and activities: Hosting networking events for medical and public health students, faculty, and medical residents interested in pro-vaccine advocacy.
Montana Families for Vaccines
Established in 2023, Montana Families for Vaccines quickly established itself as a key resource for accurate public health information. After a successful 2023 legislative session, MTFV focused its efforts on brand building, community engagement, and leadership development. In 2024, MTFV partnered with the Montana AAP on a campaign to improve vaccine confidence in the Flathead County region, which has some of the state’s lowest immunization rates. The chapter is currently focused on the childcare rules package introduced last year, supporting the development of a statewide immunization coalition, and planning a legislative district roadshow.
Founded: 2022
Total number of vaccine-related bills monitored: 5
Total number of anti-vaccine bills defeated: 3
Key partners: MT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Montana Medical Association, Missoula Public Health, MT Academy of Family Physicians
Recent events and activities: Exhibited at the MT DPHHS Immunization Program Regional Workshops and CDC’s Confidence Consult in partnership with MTAAP and MT DPHHS.
Oregon Families for Vaccines
Oregon has the second highest exemption rate for school vaccine requirements in the country. The rate continues to rise every year, making targeted advocacy crucial for improving community immunity. Anti-vaccine activists in the state are some of the nation’s most organized and have had an outsized impact on blocking pro-vaccine legislation for several years in a row. Oregon Families for Vaccines was founded in 2023 to engage and empower the state’s pro-vaccine majority. During its inaugural Day of Advocacy in Salem, advocates provided 90 legislators with district-specific information about immunization rates and took meetings with key lawmakers who lead on healthcare issues in both chambers. It was the first time pro-vaccine activists showed up in the capitol to advocate for smart vaccine policies in Oregon.
Founded: 2023
Total number of vaccine-related bills monitored: 2
Recent events and activities: Offered lawmakers and staff access to the free Vaccine Hotline, which connects them to a physician with the state’s Academy of Pediatrics who can provide accurate information about health and science.
South Dakota Families for Vaccines
Founded in 2023, South Dakota Families for Vaccines has established itself as a powerhouse. With vaccination rates well below the national average and the spread of misinformation posing significant public health risks, it was essential to create an organization dedicated to political advocacy. SDFV works closely with Immunize South Dakota to amplify efforts to educate the community and encourage South Dakotans, including college students, to become advocates for improved health. In 2024, Director Allie Alvine, MD was awarded the Excellence in Immunization Advocacy Award at the National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships.
Founded: 2023
Total number of vaccine-related bills monitored: 11
Total number of anti-vaccine bills defeated: 11
Awards: National Conference of Immunization Coalitions and Programs: Excellence in Immunization Advocacy, 2024
Key Partners: Immunize South Dakota, South Dakota chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, South Dakota Association of Family Physicians
Recent events and activities: Held the first Vaccine Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in 2024 and planning the 2nd annual event in 2025.
Tennessee Families for Vaccines
Tennessee Families for Vaccines has emerged as the state’s leading pro-vaccine advocacy organization, with an impressive list of partner organizations aligned to combat the state’s appetite for anti-vaccine legislation. They’ve built credibility through strong relationships and consistent communication, including district-specific immunization rate data and a Vaccine Hotline for policymakers supported by the Tennessee AAP, Pharmacists Association, and Academy of Family Physicians. The chapter recently co-hosted an event with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital HPV Cancer Prevention Program at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, drawing community leaders for an engaging discussion about health and advocacy.
Founded: 2022
Total number of vaccine-related bills monitored in 2024: 13
Total number of anti-vaccine bills defeated: 8, and two amended
Legislators and staff attending 2024 Advocacy Breakfast: 100+
Recent events and activities: Developed coordinated strategies for opposing and slowing misinformation-driven policies, including Tennessee’s “lettuce bill,” which classifies “vaccine lettuce” as a drug (even though no such thing exists).
