In preparation for the upcoming legislative session, the Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) created Kansas-specific communication materials for members to share with legislators. IKC's Policy and Education & Awareness Strategic Team Chairs alongside other coalition members worked collaboratively to develop short and simple messaging best suited for lawmakers. The content was then transformed into two delivery formats - emails sent directly to lawmakers and a printed brochure for coalition members to share personally with their legislators, community members, families, patients, and more!
The emails for lawmakers were created in two parts. The first round explained the purpose of a vaccine for vaccine-preventable diseases, the reasoning behind giving vaccines, and why vaccines are recommended at the ages they are. The email also reflected briefly on what life without vaccines would look like. The second round of emails shared about childhood vaccine requirements and state laws in Kansas, as well as explaining the option of exemptions due to medical or religious beliefs. IKC sent the emails to Kansas legislators in early January, before the session began.
The brochure reflected IKC's colors and included wheat fields and sunflowers for a Kansas touch. The three-panel brochure will be used by members in a variety of settings, including on IKC Advocacy Day on February 8th, where individuals will use the brochure to guide their talking points as they meet with legislators and share about the importance of immunization.
At the end of both emails and brochure, IKC included a call to action to learn more about vaccination by going through IKC's Protect Kansans with Immunization education module as well as coalition contact information for follow-up conversations and questions.
Immunize Kansas Coalition invites you to view their Advocacy Day Communications webpage for previews of these materials. If you have questions on how to create similar resources for your advocacy work, reach out to IKC Staff.
© 2015 -
Immunize Kansas Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
| © 2015 -Immunize Kansas Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $79,278,482 with 100% funded by the CDC/HHS.
The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the CDC/HHS, the U.S. Government, or the Office of the Kansas Governor. For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov. [revision 10/01/21].