Many organizations are dedicated to improving vaccine access and information but Immunize.org stands out in the breadth and depth of vaccine resources for healthcare workers. Need an HPV vaccine information statement in Tagalog? You’ll find it at Immunize.org. Looking for guidance on discussing alternative vaccination schedules with parents? Immunize.org has an entire section devoted to the topic. On the occasion of their recent rebrand and rename—they recently switched their name from Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) to take on the name of their flagship website—we wanted to take a moment to spotlight this content-rich resource with our partners, and anyone who works in primary care.
What is Immunize.org?
Immunize.org, formerly the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), is a nonprofit that has worked for more than two decades “to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for healthcare professionals and the public.” Financially supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and led by L.J Tan MS, Ph.D., Immunize.org provides a wealth of guides, tools, and resources to empower healthcare professionals at every level to have meaningful and productive interactions with patients around vaccines.
Ways to Utilize Immunize.org
Immunize.org has created a repository of information, guidance and resources to communicate with nearly every population, need, and language. Materials are created specifically with clinicians and their patients in mind, in the aim of promoting vaccine policies that are beneficial to public health. All materials are free of charge, and in printable and shareable formats. Here are a few highlights:
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
Immunize.org offers a comprehensive and up-to-date database of vaccine information statements. Each of these statements outlines the basic information about a vaccine, as well as how to handle questions and reactions. VIS can be shared with patients directly or used to fuel conversations between clinicians and their patients. Moreover, Immunize.org offers these statements on 25+ vaccines in nearly 50 languages, allowing staff to communicate with nearly any patient who walks through the door.
One of Immunize.org’s downloads—simple, informative, and made for clinicians. - Handouts for Clinicians & Patients
Similarly, Immunize.org has compiled a vast library of useful handouts that cover everything from screening checklists to information on managing vaccine reactions. Whether you are looking for a quick personal refresh, a guide to share with a colleague, or information to pass on to a patient, Immunize.org likely has a handout to cover it. - Clinical & Conversational Support
Vaccine conversations with patients can be fraught with questions, hesitancy, and conflict. Conversational guides from Immunize.org can help facilitate talks around religious concerns, alternative schedules, safety, and more—and help clinicians meet their patients where they are. - Regular Updates Through IZ Express
Immunize.org sends a weekly email newsletter which is an indispensable digest of vaccine updates that includes macro and micro information on vaccines, from new clinical recommendations, to important vaccine research and articles, events, global news and more. During the pandemic, their newsletters were indispensable in staying up-to-date on the changing COVID-19 vaccine landscape.
In the coming months, Immunize.Org has plans to launch a new platform for their website, making it even easier to search, find and share pieces from their repository of information. We look forward to visiting, and hope you’ll stop by—and share—as well.
