Increasing vaccination clinics at polling places and establishing Vote and Vaccinate as a routine, predictable public health practice

Vote & Vax is an intuitive approach to increasing flu vaccination rates by reaching out to captive and needing audiences during a critical period of flu season. This program is an innovative collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and SPARC (Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration), a New England nonprofit agency dedicated to developing innovative approaches to delivering disease prevention services. Since its first multi-state program in 2004, Vote & Vax has helped provide thousands of influenza vaccinations to at-risk Americans. The program held 127 successful clinics at polling sites in 2006, immunizing large numbers of Americans who would not otherwise have been reached. Recognizing that 125 million people vote in national elections, the founders of Vote & Vax identified the opportunity to safely and conveniently provide flu vaccinations on Election Day. Working with local public health providers to assist them in launching vaccination clinics at polling places across the country, Vote& Vax has introduced a new way to reach Americans in need of this service. Influenza affects 1 in 5 Americans and is responsible for 35,000 deaths annually. The prospect of reaching the most vulnerable populations in a new environment is an innovative approach, and for both providers and recipients, a healthy investment.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $746,350.00

Awarded on: 10/26/2007

Time frame: 11/15/2007 - 11/30/2010

Grant Number: 63123