- Flu Vaccine Information
- Advocacy
- Flu Prevention
Become a Flu Champion Today
Posted on September 23, 2024
At Families Fighting Flu, we believe that grassroots activists and passionate volunteers are the key to achieving our goal of helping the public understand the severity of the flu. As flu season approaches, it’s more important than ever to know the right steps to protect ourselves and our communities. That’s why we’ve developed a practical, step-by-step guide for community-based organizations and individuals who want to take action in protecting their communities from the flu and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. This toolkit, developed with Voices for Vaccines, makes it easier than ever for anyone to organize and host a vaccination clinic, regardless of experience.
Here’s a breakdown of how the toolkit can help you create an impactful event:
Step 1: Define Your Goal and Audience
Start by thinking about who you want to reach. Are you organizing a flu clinic for adults? Maybe you’re targeting underserved populations, or perhaps you want to set up a back-to-school clinic for children? The toolkit provides options for hosting clinics that cover a range of vaccines, including flu, COVID-19, and HPV, so you can tailor your event to meet the specific needs of your community.
Step 2: Partner with a Vaccination Provider
Once you’ve identified your audience and clinic type, the next step is finding a vaccination provider. Whether it’s your local health department, a pharmacy, or a community health center, these professionals will handle the logistics—purchasing vaccines, staffing, and ensuring compliance with health regulations. This partnership allows you to focus on organizing and promoting the event.
Step 3: Set a Date and Secure a Location
Choose a date and location that are easily accessible for your target audience. You can hold the clinic at a school, community center, house of worship, or even a drive-through or mobile setup. The toolkit highlights important considerations like making sure the venue is equipped with accessible bathrooms, has enough space for participants, and is accommodating to those with disabilities. Partnering with public institutions like food banks, fire departments, or sports events can also help draw in participants.
Step 4: Promote Your Clinic
Promotion is key to getting people vaccinated. In the toolkit, we provide outreach strategies to engage your community and spread the word. You’ll find customizable templates for flyers, social media posts, and PR strategies. Engaging trusted community leaders can help with encouraging participation so the toolkit offers guidance on how to work with faith leaders, local government officials, and health systems to amplify your message.
Step 5: Create a Welcoming Environment
Ensuring that your clinic is inviting and comfortable makes a big difference. The toolkit suggests fun and creative ways to engage kids and families, from handing out fidget spinners to offering goody bags or cultural music. Taking into account cultural norms and offering materials in multiple languages can help you create a space that feels inclusive and accessible to everyone in the community.
Step 6: Share Your Success
Once your clinic has wrapped up, don’t forget to share your story! The toolkit encourages you to post photos on social media, celebrate your success, and inspire others to take action in their communities. Consider setting up a unique hashtag for your event and sharing updates with Voices for Vaccines and Families Fighting Flu, so we can help spread the word.
Our Flu Vaccine Clinic Toolkit gives you all the resources you need to organize a successful clinic and make a real difference in protecting your community from flu-related complications. Download your toolkit and become a Flu Champion in your community today!
Learn More About Families Fighting Flu
Families Fighting Flu (FFF), a national, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to honoring loved ones who have suffered serious medical complications or died from influenza, commemorates 20 years of advocacy protecting children, families, and all communities from the flu. Our 20th anniversary is a testament to our dedication and enduring efforts to protect families. It is also a sobering reminder that we are not done yet.
In sharing personal stories, FFF strives to increase awareness about the seriousness of the flu, reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths each year, drive up vaccination rates for everyone six months and older, and encourage symptomatic individuals to get tested and receive appropriate treatment. Learn more about our mission and resources here so that you can empower your family to stay healthy this flu season.
