Network News — June 11, 2026

Webinar

Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

Resources

In the News

Webinar

Rescheduled! Virtual: National Network for Immunization Coalitions will host webinar for titled “Leading for Change: Advocacy for Coalition Leaders" on a rescheduled date of July 16 at 12:00 p.m. (ET)

The National Network for Immunization Coalitions’ webinar titled Leading for Change: Advocacy for Coalition Leaders has been rescheduled for 12:00 p.m. (ET) on July 16. This webinar will be an engaging and highly interactive session for immunization coalition directors and coalition staff focused on advocacy, leadership, and real-world coalition experiences. Participants will engage in collaborative breakout discussions featuring real-world scenarios and practical challenges commonly faced by coalitions. Attendees are encouraged to actively contribute ideas, perspectives, and strategies throughout the session as we explore peer-driven solutions, shared learning, and approaches for navigating today’s evolving public health and advocacy landscape together.

Immunization coalition directors and coalition staff may contact Lisa Jacques-Carroll for registration information.

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Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events

Our final issue: concluding 15 years of Network News

With this edition, we close the chapter on Network News, which has featured 15 years of stories, updates, and resources shared by and among the immunization coalitions and their partners. Publication of the newsletter falls under Immunize​.org’s CDC cooperative agreement, and with that agreement concluding in September, this June issue will be our last.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed over the years. The coalition leaders, staff, and partners made each issue a reflection of the extraordinary work happening across the country. A special thank you to Deborah Wexler, whose vision in founding the National Network of Immunization Coalitions gave coalition leaders a place to collaborate, share, and grow. Network News has always been your newsletter and a pivotal resource for sharing the great work happening across the coalition community.

All 15 years of archived issues remain available at immunizationcoalitions.org/network-news.

Immunize​.org’s support of coalition communications continues through our monthly Directors’ and partner virtual meetings, the coalition website, the directors’ email Listserv, the secure information portal, and the broader moderated coalitions Listserv. Please reach out to Lisa Jacques-Carroll if you need more information on any of these resources and how to use them to share your news.

The National Network of Immunization Coalitions reminds you of the important ways every coalition can plug into the power of our network:

Thank you for reading, contributing, and for the work you do every day to protect your communities.

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The National Network of Immunization Coalitions highlights the newest immunization coalition, NVax!

Nevada ranks near the bottom of national public health measures, including vaccination rates. School vaccine exemption rates are climbing, immunization rates are declining across all age groups, and children who do get vaccinated often receive their vaccines late. The state is large and geographically diverse, with two major urban centers, expansive rural areas, and significant disparities in healthcare access. It is also a minority-majority state, approximately 30% Hispanic, 11% Asian, and 10% Black, with 44% of the population identifying as White non-Hispanic, making culturally responsive outreach both a priority and a challenge.

NVax: Nevada’s Immunization Coalition (NVax) was launched in April. The response from the public health and medical community has been overwhelming. Before grant paperwork was finalized, organizations were already requesting NVax’s presence at events and seeking coalition support for planned community activities. More than 150 people attended the kickoff call, with an additional 75 expressing interest in participating. Several state legislators have joined as members and people are getting fired up about immunizations.

NVax is housed within the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Public Health and is believed to be the only immunization coalition in the country based inside a school of public health. This positioning offers meaningful advantages. UNLV’s School of Public Health is already an established, trusted resource in Nevada, providing NVax with a strong foundation of credibility from day one. The school also houses several other statewide coalitions, giving NVax an existing network of community partnerships to build from.

The academic setting also provides direct access to a trained workforce. Students participate through assistantships and internships, contributing to data analysis, evaluation, and communications. Many of NVax’s early staff are the next generation of public health professionals or epidemiologists-in-training, giving the coalition the capacity not just to act on data, but to generate it—a capability that distinguishes NVax from many of its peers.

For healthcare providers, NVax is developing training and professional development focused on vaccine communication, immunization best practices, and patient confidence conversations. A planned “Misinformation Monday” social media campaign will help providers identify and respond to the misinformation their patients are likely encountering online.

For the public, NVax plans to create educational resources and aims to bring education directly into communities through fairs, school events, back-to-school immunization clinics, and seasonal respiratory and flu programming. Since no single organization can reach all of Nevada, the coalition is committed to partnering with and amplifying the work of organizations already embedded in communities across the state.

Since today’s new parents largely turn to social media for health information first, NVax is investing in a strong digital presence. To do this, the coalition is drawing on its university students, who are similar in age to many new parents, to shape strategy and content that resonates with that audience.

Nevada has a part-time, citizen legislature that convenes for a 120-day session every other year. Legislators are active in the community and regularly participate in public health activities and coalitions. NVax is building those relationships now, well ahead of the next legislative session, so that policymakers develop an understanding of immunization issues over time rather than encountering them only during a bill’s introduction.

NVax is currently conducting a needs assessment to establish member subgroups and shape its programming priorities. Among the planned subgroups is a science-focused group for in-depth discussion of immunology, virology, and vaccine design, with the intent to bring Nevada researchers into the coalition to reinforce its evidence-based foundation.

The coalition’s vision is “no immune system left behind,” and they want to make sure every Nevadan has access to the information and vaccines they need, no matter where they live, who they are, or what challenges they face. While still in the early stages, if NVax can develop effective strategies for reaching a diverse population across urban and rural geographies, those approaches could serve as a model for immunization coalitions nationwide.

Learn more about NVax by visiting www.nvax.org and follow NVax on social media at:

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Virtual: Indiana Immunization Coalition hosts webinar titled "Pediatric Vaccine Conversations: Addressing Common Concerns" on June 23 at 3:00 p.m. (ET)

Indiana Immunization Coalition will host a webinar titled Pediatric Vaccine Conversations: Addressing Common Concerns at 3:00 p.m. (ET) on June 23.
During the webinar, Tracie Newman, MD, MPH, associate professor of practice, School of Health Systems & Innovation, and medical director, Center for Immunization Research and Education, North Dakota State University, will discuss:

  • Questions and misconceptions healthcare providers encounter regarding childhood vaccinations
  • Research-backed answers and communication strategies that effectively address vaccine-related questions from patients and caregivers
  • Healthcare providers’ ability to engage in productive, empathetic conversations that build trust and encourage vaccine confidence among patients and families

Register for the webinar.

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Immunize Kansas Coalition highlights key resources for immunization coalitions and partners

Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) offers many tools and materials for immunization outreach and education, including:

  • Education modules are interactive learning tools for healthcare providers, pregnant women, youth, faith communities, and families covering vital topics like influenza and HPV-related cancer prevention, immunization during pregnancy, vaccine confidence, and more.
  • Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts booklet features easy-to-read explanations of 23 common vaccine myths with factual rebuttals. The second edition will be coming soon.
  • Diseases and Real-Life Consequences card highlights vaccine-preventable diseases and the serious consequences and long-term harm that can result from infection.
  • Vaccine Highlight Cards provide information on recommended vaccines for children, pregnant women, and adults. These cards are available in a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, and Haitian Creole.
  • Featured campaigns include the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Campaign and Protect Against Measles Campaign.
  • Kansas Fights Flu webpage, which includes the Collegiate Campaign, is a resource hub for healthcare providers and organizations to champion higher influenza immunization rates across our communities. The page offers a variety of resources, including FAQs, social media toolkits, training modules, and the Collegiate Flu Challenge.
  • Ask a Doctor is a short-form video series designed for sharing on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. These short-form videos feature healthcare professionals answering common questions about vaccines.

IKC invites coalition partners, community organizations, public health advocates, and healthcare professionals to use and share these materials to increase immunization uptake in their communities. These resources and more are available on IKC’s Key Resources web page, which continues to be updated as new tools are developed. IKC looks forward to continued collaboration that strengthens outreach efforts, supports healthier communities, and advances shared goals.

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Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events

Medscape offers educational activity on viral hepatitis; CE credit offered

Medscape Education released a curriculum, Targeting Viral Hepatitis: A Road Map for Providers, with several activities featuring expert perspectives on preventing and managing viral hepatitis.

The activities include:

The curriculum titled “Are Your Workflows Working? Embedding Hepatitis Screening and Vaccination into Routine Care” was codeveloped and moderated by Immunize​.org’s L.J Tan, PhD. A description of the curriculum appears below.

Despite advances in effective therapies, viral hepatitis rates continue to increase, especially among certain communities, identified as priority health populations. These populations include people who inject drugs (PWID), Asians and Pacific Islanders, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and non-Hispanic Black persons. Furthermore, systemic barriers, stigma, and discrimination impede access to health services for people at increased risk for viral hepatitis. These factors contribute to missed/late diagnosis, onward transmission, costly tertiary care, and reduced quality of life. This collection of CME-certified activities provides strategies to overcome barriers and deliver equitable care to further the achievement of hepatitis elimination goals in the United States and worldwide.

To earn CME, ABIM MOC, or CE credit, please click here.

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Today! Virtual: Register for Immunize​.org Website Office Hours. Join a 30-minute discussion about its Vaccine Confidence & Addressing Concerns web content on June 11 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Recorded sessions archived.

To learn simple tips and tricks for using the Immunize​.org website efficiently, please register for its next set of Website Office Hours on Thursday, June 11, at 12:00 p.m. (ET).

The 30-minute session will open with a short, live demonstration on navigating the Vaccine Confidence & Addressing Concerns website section. You can submit questions when you register or live on Zoom during the session.

Register today for Immunize​.org Website Office Hours on Thursday, June 11, at 12:00 p.m. (ET).

The archive of previous Website Office Hours content is posted at Immunize​.org’s “Webinars & Videos” page.

Mark your calendar for future Immunize​.org Website Office Hours.

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Virtual: NFID will host the 2026 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research on June 15–17 as a complimentary online event. Register now!

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will host the 2026 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research (ACVR), June 15–17, as a complimentary online event. The annual conference brings together the diverse disciplines involved in vaccine research, development, implementation, and real-world evaluation. By drawing upon an international audience of scientists and researchers, healthcare professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and public health officials, the conference is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas across a broad range of disciplines.

Complimentary registration provides access to:

  • Presentations by world-renowned vaccinology experts
  • Networking and collaboration with colleagues
  • Access to conference recordings

Recordings of the presentations will be made available to registered attendees after the event.

Register for the event.

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Virtual: Association of Immunization Managers shares a series of webinars on ways to improve immunization access and uptake in older adults; first session is June 23 at 2:00 p.m. (ET)

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) will host three webinars in its series Adults Need Vaccines Too. The webinars will discuss ways to improve access to and uptake of immunizations among older adults. Each webinar will focus on a key strategy used by immunization programs and their partners.

The first webinar in the series, titled Strategies to Support and Improve Older Adult Vaccination Efforts Through Partnerships, will be held at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on June 23. Attendees will learn how establishing strategic partnerships can help build vaccine confidence and address mis/disinformation for older adults and their families.

Register for the webinar.

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Virtual: Voices for Vaccines shares three upcoming webinars

Voices for Vaccines (VFV) will host three upcoming webinars:

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Resources

Vaccinate Your Family adds measles minicourse to its offerings at Vaccinate Your Family University

Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) has developed multiple interactive, plain-language mini-courses to help you and your community stay safe from vaccine-preventable diseases, available at VYF University. Each course takes about 30–45 minutes to complete and covers the latest facts, myths, and ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. VYF recently launched a new minicourse, Measles: What Everyone Needs to Know. In this course, you will follow Elena as she learns about measles (e.g., how it is spread, who is most at risk) and how the vaccine protects children, teens, and adults. You’ll also learn how to address common myths and have supportive conversations about measles prevention.

Other available minicourses include:

These minicourses are free, easy to follow, and designed for everyone.

Visit VYF University to learn more and enroll.

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CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center shares resources and announcements

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Vaccine Education Center (VEC) has several new and updated resources to share.

Vaccine Makers Project (VMP) offers a film about the ongoing fight against infectious diseases that could be used to tie in with the country’s 250th anniversary. The 7-minute film opens in Valley Forge, PA, where General George Washington required his soldiers to be protected against smallpox via variolation. It also covers progress in fighting infectious diseases through the lens of PA-based contributions, including the development of mRNA technology that helped overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Please help VMP celebrate by sharing the short, free film, Pennsylvania: At the Forefront in the Prevention of Infectious Diseases.

If you need the film file for extended use, please fill out the contact form. VMP also offers screening resources to help with event planning.

Additionally, the VMP released a Puzzle Activity that can be used in conjunction with the film.

VMP, in collaboration with the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania (home of FactCheck.org), offers a project to develop a classroom lesson for high school students to learn how the immune system protects our bodies from the specific threat of DNA from external sources. Educators can submit individual or team proposals outlining how they would develop the lesson, which must include the use of the co-developed animation, How Do Cells Defend Against Foreign DNA?.

If your proposal is chosen, the submitting teacher or team will receive $3,000 to develop the lesson between mid-August and September. Proposals are due by July 1

Learn more and submit a lesson plan.

The Parents PACK feature article, Consequences of Unfounded Vaccine Safety Concerns: Where Do the Real Risks Lie? (Part 1), is part of a series on unfounded fears, and explores why some people request directed blood donations in healthcare settings. It discusses important considerations they may not be aware of when making these requests.

View a PDF of the article.

Two more articles in this series will address other potential consequences of unfounded vaccine safety concerns. These articles can be found in the upcoming July and August issues of Parents PACK. The articles in Parents PACK are available as PDFs and can be photocopied for easy sharing during one-on-one conversations or at tabling events.

Subscribe to Parents PACK.

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In the News

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