Strategies for Effective National, State, and Local Communication Collaboration

Background: Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions. It has eradicated small-pox, lowered the global incidence of polio by 99% and achieved dramatic reductions in illness, disability and death. In the US it is estimated that routine childhood immunization prevents approximately 42,000 early deaths and 20 million cases of disease in each birth cohort.  Vaccinating children with recommended vaccines not only prevents disease and death, but also results in substantial cost savings of approximately $69 billion in societal costs.  Unfortunately, there are millions of people who do not benefit from the protection that vaccination provides.  Adult immunization rates are extremely low, HPV vaccination rates for females has stagnated, some parents are concerned about vaccine safety, and there are local outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease such as influenza, whooping cough, measles, mumps, and meningococcal B.   Speaking with one voice will explore the strategies and tools used by NCIRD to engage and support  partners such as NPHIC, state and local health departments, coalitions, and national organizations to provide clear, consistent, actionable communication messages to address immunization challenges. 

Program background: This presentation will describe strategies and tools that NCIRD uses to collaborate with immunization programs, national organizations, coalitions, and other partners to promote clear, consistent communication messages during outbreak response as well as in routine immunization communication.  It will also detail NCIRD and NPHIC strategic collaboration and highlight joint activities such as a member needs assessment, the development of an immunization committee, online resource library of immunization materials, and webinars and other training opportunities.

Evaluation Methods and Results: Select results from the needs assessment, web metrics of the online activities, and trainng evaluations will be highlighted.  

Conclusions:  Engaging partners early, utilizing effective strategies, and supporting partner's communication needs can result in clear, consistent messaging on immunization. Speaking with one voice is an effective strategy to manage outbreak communication and routine immunization communication.  It has the potential to maintain and improve immunization rates for children, adolescents and adults.

Implications for research and/or practice: Utilizing effective partnership strategies and supporting partner's communication needs can result in clear, consistent messaging on immunization.