Arkansas Immunization Action Coalition

Description

The Arkansas Immunization Action Coalition (ImmunizeAR) was originally formed in 2012 with a mission to increase the number of pharmacies that provide immunizations. In 2017 under new direction, the coalition became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has been growing and active in improving access to immunizations, educating providers about immunization best practices, and creating solutions to immunization barriers.

Mission

ImmunizeAR’s mission is to improve vaccination rates for all Arkansans through education, advocacy, and statewide partnerships. Our vision is to vaccinate every eligible Arkansan against vaccine-preventable diseases. The Coalition’s purpose is to identify and remove barriers preventing Arkansans from receiving timely vaccinations recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. The coalition is needed as an oversight function to bridge gaps among disparate efforts to improve rates in Arkansas.

Arkansas has some of the lowest immunization rates in the country for preventable diseases (e.g., HPV), making Arkansans at more risk to acquire vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., cervical cancer). The rates are low because the cost and complexity to offer immunizations outweigh the benefits for most providers. As a result, Arkansas has a disproportionately low number of providers offering immunizations. ImmunizeAR aims to identify and support innovative solutions to this problem.