Policymakers are responsible for setting, reviewing and revising rules and laws of any institution, organization or government. They generally set the legislative agenda, oversight and accountability; and, ultimately funding of policy implementation. Public health professionals (PHP) must advocate for the general public and is an essential competency requirement for health educators; they should be able to craft and create public health policy by using social and national health-related issues to improve individual and community health (1). Policymakers must work with health educators as they are able to support an issue by providing data, assessing needs and are capable of program planning, implementation and evaluation.

In addressing policymakers for the “Fact-Checking the Anti-Vaccine Movement” our approach will be through a one-page “policy sheet” which provides:

• Key data on vaccine efficacy
• Cost of relatively recent outbreaks due to vaccine-preventable diseases
• Current policies which allow for State-required vaccine exemptions
• Current outbreak data
• Specific attainable objectives that legislators are able to vote on

The simple, plain and easily-read ‘fact sheet’ will be presented/ provided at State legislative lobbying sessions, colloquially known as ‘working the velvet ropes’ (2) to lawmakers. Lawmakers wanting further information can scan the visible QR code on this visually-pleasing and accessible one-pager where they can provide their contact information for a response from Subject Matter Expertise (SMEs) on our “Fact-Checking the Anti-Vaccine Movement” policy initiative.

Upon initial contact with the legislator’s office, the SME will briefly conduct an information-gathering session through phone interview in order to determine knowledge-gaps and expertise on the anti-vaccine movement by policymakers. Legislator’s (or their representatives) will be invited to attend one of our hourly ‘implementer training modules’ where they can see first-hand the level of concern and engagement with providers and caregivers.

Further discussions with policymakers will entail educating with the intent of increasing (3):

• Knowledge of current vaccine exemption policy consequences
• Vaccine efficacy: the value of vaccines and consequences of poor vaccine rates
• Cost/ Benefit awareness of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases

At the end of these discussions with SMEs, policymakers should be able to:

• facilitate meetings with their constituents
• form and delegate committees to gather public knowledge and perception
• inform and advocate for their constituent’s individual and public health

Our ultimate project goal for this final phase of our campaign is to shape policy, with tangible objectives or ‘asks’ including:

• Public declaration of the efficacy and your support of vaccines
• Policy changes requiring counselling and demonstrated support of personal vaccine beliefs
• Constituent acknowledgment that in the event of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak, constituents may be forcibly vaccinated to control spread of the epidemic

 

 

References

1. Robert J. Bensley JB-F. Community Health Education Methods, A practical guide 3rd ed 2009.
2. Mark Niesse MTP. Follow this year’s Georgia Legislature. AJC. 2018 01/04/2018.
3. ASTHO. Communicating Effectively About Vaccines: New Communication Resources for Health Officials. 2010.