Rose Community Foundation launches companion Colorado Vaccine Access Fund to support local strategies for vaccine access
Facing scientifically-unsupported changes to vaccine guidelines and schedules at the federal level, Colorado health, community and philanthropic leaders are taking the initiative to fill the gap with outreach, information and policy proposals to help ensure that all Coloradans have access to vaccines that prevent disease and disruption.
Colorado Chooses Vaccines is a new and expanding alliance of Colorado medical experts, health providers, community leaders, and policy advocates who will recommend and implement strategies to promote vaccine access.
As a companion to this effort, Rose Community Foundation has launched the Colorado Vaccine Access Fund and seeded it with $100,000 to support grantmaking guided by Colorado Chooses Vaccines for community-based solutions and policies that protect every Coloradan’s ability to choose and receive the vaccines they need. To learn more, visit www.COvaccineaccessfund.org. Donors who wish to contribute to this statewide effort may do so at www.rcfdenver.org/COvaccineaccessfund.
“Decisions made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) directly affect the health of Colorado’s children, families, and communities—and the options Coloradans have to protect themselves and their loved ones. Vaccines must remain accessible, affordable, and available, regardless of federal policy shifts. Yet the ACIP’s actions have created new challenges for states, Colorado included—from potential supply disruptions to confusion over eligibility, insurance coverage, and provider delivery. Coupled with numerous falsehoods and misleading claims that accompanied the meeting, these changes threaten to limit access and erode confidence in routine childhood and adult vaccines,” said Sean O’Leary, M.D., a national vaccine expert who is heading Colorado Chooses Vaccines.
“Building on Colorado’s strong existing immunization community, we will partner with policymakers, leaders, and local communities to safeguard vaccine access, strengthen trust with clear, evidence-based communication, and keep prevention within reach for every Coloradan,” Dr. O’Leary added.
A call to action from Colorado Chooses Vaccines states: “We’re going to rely on Colorado ingenuity and determination to rally together and rise to this challenge quickly and decisively, preventing the unnecessary human and financial cost of vaccine-preventable disease. We can’t afford to stay on the sidelines. As we enter the school year and respiratory virus season, we invite you to join our movement to support your loved ones as well as all of our state’s most vulnerable, from babies to seniors.” The statement allows anyone to sign on in support.
In addition to Rose Community Foundation, early supporters of the still-growing Colorado Chooses Vaccines alliance includes Children’s Hospital Colorado, Immunize Colorado, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, Healthier Colorado, Colorado Access, the Colorado Medical Society, the Colorado chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado School of Public Health, and the Colorado Children’s Campaign.
“This is a classic all-hands-on-deck moment when various sectors, from health to education to business to community, are encouraged to rally together around this shared cause. Our goal is to create a coalition that welcomes everyone who shares the goal of providing vaccine access for Coloradans of all ages,” said Elaine Gantz Berman, a former member of the Colorado Board of Education and early donor to the Colorado Vaccine Access Fund. “We know we have much more outreach to do to reach across Colorado. This is just the start.”
In the wake of new federal vaccine guidance issued at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting this week, this collaborative multi-sector effort will help protect the health of all Coloradans and preserve the freedom to choose illness-preventing, life-saving vaccines.
“Given the vaccine shifts and misinformation at the national level, we are grateful to partner with Colorado health experts and donors to combat vaccine confusion and ensure equitable vaccine access in Colorado,” said Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, president and CEO of Rose Community Foundation. “Donations to the Colorado Vaccine Access Fund will help provide grants to community organizations expanding vaccine information and access, advancing policies that protect health equity and access, and building a safer and healthier Colorado for all generations.”
Media contacts:
Eric Anderson, SE2
eric@se2changeforgood.com
303-829-4412
Kristy Bassuener, Rose Community Foundation
comms@rcfdenver.com
303-398-7444