August 2008 Wayback capture

Recent public discourse has taken on a tone of doubt regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. While immunization rates remain high in the United States, scientifically unfounded fears receive broad coverage in the media, and the views of those who oppose vaccination are often presented as fact. This creates an environment in which vaccine uptake is in danger of declining precipitously - in America, and in other countries that are influenced by American attitudes toward vaccines.

Voices For Vaccines has been formed to speak for those who value the vital protection provided by vaccines and want accurate communication of their safety profile. Our goal is to maximize the ability of vaccines to prevent disease, disability, and death, here and abroad, by supporting sound vaccine policies and practices.

Voices For Vaccines is guided by the following principles:

Science. We will follow the most reliable scientific findings in formulating our positions. We will be frank and clear about what is known and the limitations of current knowledge. Independence. To allay concerns about conflicts of interest, we will accept no funding from companies that manufacture or distribute vaccines, nor from any government. Accessibility. We will provide information through multiple media formats in order to effectively reach the general public, health care providers, and policymakers.

Voices For Vaccines has already begun enlisting members to demonstrate the strong support that vaccines enjoy across the population. Membership is at no cost and provides a subscription to our newsletter as well as the opportunity to participate in VFV-coordinated action campaigns.

Voices For Vaccines is administratively housed within the Task Force for Child Survival and Development, an Atlanta-based 501©(3) organization. ¹⁾

=== Vaccine Safety Claims ===

Who ensures vaccine safety?

There are many organizations that collectively form a robust global and national vaccine safety net. In the United States, the FDA and CDC are the primary bodies ensuring vaccines safety. There are also National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) in most countries whose members are scientific experts across a number of disciplines. These NITAGs share information with each other, so in addition to U.S. data, there is worldwide safety data. ²⁾

Printable Handouts

Some of our most popular pages and tools are available for downloading and printing. Feel free to share them in medical office waiting rooms, libraries, schools, public health clinics, and wherever else parents seek information

Archived Conference Calls

Each month, Voices for Vaccines hosts conference calls with movers and shakers in the pro-vaccine movement. Recordings of these calls can be downloaded here.

Pro-Vaccine Playgroups

Parents of young children who want to meet other pro-vaccine parents can find them in their neighborhoods by visiting our playgroup map. Note: children who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons are welcome. Learn more about our pro-vaccine playgroups here.

Avoiding False Balance: Vaccines in the Media

Journalists writing stories concerning immunization can unintentionally fall prey to presenting their stories with two equal sides, even though the science behind vaccines is clear. This toolkit is a great guide for journalists to download themselves or for the public to email to a journalist who has stumbled into the fallacy of false balance. Journalism students and professors might also use this toolkit in their coursework.

Community Immunity Toolkit

Vaccines work by protecting individuals by disease, but if enough people in a community are vaccinated, the whole community enjoys a shield of protection. This shield, known as Community Immunity, is important to everyone but especially to those who are the most vulnerable to illnesses and their complications. This toolkit helps schools and other communities assess how well they are meeting Community Immunity thresholds in order to inspire and motivate everyone to keep up-to-date with their immunizations. Download it here. Updated 2-19-2015

Vaccines and the Law Manual

This comprehensive manual helps advocates at all levels explore legal and legislative options for raising immunization rates. Download the manual here.

Parent Advocate Toolkit

Voices for Vaccines members want to spread the good word about immunization and encourage other parents to do the same. This toolkit enables anyone–from the everyday parent to the practicing physician–to gather a group of people of any size to discuss how vaccines are important and why we must all speak up for them.

This toolkit contains everything you need to host a gathering no matter the size–from a small group of friends in your home to a large, public community event. Everything you need is contained within.

The Presenter’s Guide contains everything you might need to create a complete event, including a suggested script, publicity forms, a suggested event timeline, and post-presentation surveys. Download this easy-to-use handbook here.

Handouts for guests are an important and helpful way to give participants something to take home. The “Vaccines are Important” handout can be downloaded here. The “Safe and Effective: Vaccines Work” handout can be downloaded here.

• Safe and Important: Vaccines Work is a visual presentation and slideshow which comes in many forms.
• The accompanying notes help you provide more information about each slide.
• The PPT version of the presentation is available here.
• The video (with audio script built in) is available on YouTube here.
• A PDF version of the presentation is available. Email us for a copy.

Kick the Flu out of School: Flu Vaccine Contest for Schools

Each year, we hope that students receive their influenza vaccines. This toolkit helps school leaders (both parent-leaders and administrators) give students a fun incentive to go out and get their flu vaccine! By turning in a signed entry form, students are entered into a drawing for prizes. The toolkit includes ideas for prizes and a solicitation letter for local business who might be excited to support the health of your school. This toolkit can be personalized; however, schools may not edit the documents in ways that change the intent or purpose of the contest.

• Explanation and directions for school and parent leaders
• Letter to families and students introducing the contest
• Solicitation to local businesses for contest prizes
• Contest entry form for students (clinic signature version or parent signature version)

New and Expectant Parent Toolkits

Oftentimes, parents make the decision to vaccinate their children even before their children are born. We want to make that decision easier for them by providing accurate information about vaccines. Ob/Gyns, Midwives, Childbirth Educators, Lactation Consultants, and anyone else interested in communicating with parents can download these items for free distribution.

• New Parent Toolkit Handout
• Protecting New Babies Brochure
• Safe and Healthy Babies Powerpoint Presentation (with accompanying Notes)

Writing an Op-Ed for Publication

Reaching out to the broader community through opinion articles is one way Voices for Vaccines members can make a difference. In this toolkit, you will find some strategies for writing a powerful, persuasive op-ed for publication. For additional guidance, contact info@voicesforvaccines.org

Spread the Word Flyer

Voices for Vaccines members are our greatest asset, and you can help build our ranks by encouraging others to join. Help spread the word about Voices for Vaccines by downloading our flyer and posting it on bulletin boards around your community. Black and white version and simple tear-off version.³⁾

Voices For Vaccines is currently led by a Steering Committee:

• Joseph Bocchini, MD – American Academy of Pediatrics
• Douglas Campos-Outcalt, MD and Jon Temte, MD – American Academy of Family Physicians
• Anna DeBlois – Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
• Alan R. Hinman, MD – Task Force for Child Survival and Development
• Mark Kane, MD – Consultant
• Frankie Milley – Meningitis Angels
• Paul Offit, MD – Vaccine Education Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Walter Orenstein, MD – Emory Vaccine Center
• Denise Palmer and Gary Stein – Families Fighting Flu
• Trish Parnell – Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDS)
• Amy Pisani – Every Child By Two
• L J Tan, PhD – American Medical Association
• Deborah L. Wexler, MD – Immunization Action Coalition

Voices For Vaccines is also forming a Scientific Advisory Board with representatives from all relevant fields. ⁴⁾

Currently, Lisa Randall, JD, is serving as Interim Executive Director.⁵⁾

Voices For Vaccines Director Lisa Randall Campaigning for Merck HPV vaccine Gardasil ⁶⁾