Developing Immunization Coalition Toolkit for the Association of Immunization Managers

By Michael Hauer, Evaluation Specialist III

Partnerships between immunization coalitions and health department immunization programs can help achieve common goals of increasing vaccine uptake by leveraging resources, connections, and existing networks. Immunization coalitions are comprised of state, local, and tribal health jurisdictions, community-based organizations, schools, health care providers, community health centers, health systems, health plans, corporate partners, community leaders, individual advocates and more (National Network of Immunization Coalitions, 2025). Immunization programs operate at the state, local, or territorial levels within departments of health and promote and distribute vaccines to the community. Each serves a distinct function and benefit when there is a productive working relationship.

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) is dedicated to establishing a nation free of vaccine-preventable disease. AIM members are the leaders of state, local, and territorial immunization programs—directing the public health efforts designed to keep children and adults vaccinated and protected against disease. The COVID-19 pandemic led to burnout in the vaccine community and caused turnover in immunization programs. As a result, a significant amount of institutional knowledge was lost. Long-standing relationships between immunization coalitions and programs were also lost.

Karna was tasked by AIM to develop an Immunization Coalition Toolkit for Program Managers to help them develop relationships with immunization coalitions. The formative research that was conducted to inform the Toolkit sought to understand:

• The landscape of the immunization coalition and immunization program relationship
• How coalitions are utilized and valued by immunization programs
• How immunization programs can work with coalitions
• Standards and best practices for these partnerships, resources, and steps for establishing or sustaining coalitions
• An assessment of existing coalitions, their structures and roles, and how they are funded.

Karna conducted extensive formative research to develop the Toolkit including:

• A landscape analysis of existing coalition resources that consisted of two parts:

1. 1. An environmental scan looking at academic and grey literature and web sites to understand what information and resources already exist around coalition building
   2. A needs assessment survey with immunization coalition staff to understand their specific strengths, needs, and gaps in support, and resources that immunization programs may be able to fill

• A listening session with immunization coalitions and program managers to understand the nature of the relationship and how each can leverage their unique resources and networks to achieve a common goal
• Eight conversations with immunization program managers and immunization coalition leaders from 4 states (1 program manager and 1 coalition leader from each state) that were used to inform case studies

Description of the Toolkit

The Toolkit contained the following sections:

• Steps to Success: Starting and Sustaining Immunization Coalitions: Essential steps for starting, building, and maintaining coalitions
• Tip Sheets: Helpful information on common immunization coalition-building topics
  • Funding 
  • Relationship Building 
  • Coalition Activities 
• Survey Summary: What we’re learning from immunization program managers and coalition representatives based on a survey Karna administered in August 2024
• Landscape Analysis: Comprehensive overview of immunization coalitions highlighting structures, strategies, and impact
• Case Studies: Stories of four successful immunization coalitions from California, South Dakota, Kansas, and Pennsylvania summarizing:
  • Immunization program and coalition roles
  • Activities
  • Funding sources
  • Successes and challenges
  • Tips for building and maintaining relationships
• Operational Examples: Sample operational documents such as MOUs, MUAs, and bylaws
• Coalition Map:  Map of the state and regional immunization coalitions across the country that can be useful for:
  • Connecting with other coalitions to learn about activities and programming
  • Collaborating with other coalitions
  • Identifying geographical gaps with the intent to start a new or expand an existing coalition

To access the full Immunization Coalition Toolkit, click here.

References

About The Network – National Network of Immunization Coalitions