The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted longstanding gaps in vaccine confidence and access—particularly among young children, adolescents, and communities historically underserved by the healthcare system. Misinformation, historical distrust, and structural barriers continue to shape public attitudes toward vaccination and can hinder efforts to achieve universal immunization coverage.

Local Health Departments (LHDs) play a critical role in promoting vaccine confidence and addressing these challenges. However, their success increasingly depends on the strength of their partnerships with trusted, community-rooted institutions. Faith-based organizations (FBO), early care and education (ECE) centers, and community messengers are uniquely positioned to engage families, convey accurate health information, and build trust where traditional public health efforts may not reach.

Collaborating with these institutions fosters culturally relevant and community-driven approaches to vaccination outreach. Faith leaders can offer moral guidance and trusted counsel, ECE providers can reach families during early developmental stages, and schools can engage youth and caregivers through established educational networks. These trusted partners also serve as essential messengers in shaping communications around immunizations across the lifespan—from early childhood through adolescence and adulthood—reinforcing consistent, relatable, and accessible messages at every stage of life. 

This resource was developed to share LHD experiences, lessons learned, and best practices collaborating with partners from different sectors. This document should be used for partnership planning and implementation. Templates, tools, and resources can be used to support the development of partnerships in your community.

To view the “Expanding Vaccination Coverage Through Partnerships: Resources and Real-World Experiences” resource, click here.