With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO is pleased to announce Equipping Local Health Departments to Address Vaccine Hesitancy, a technical assistance and capacity-building opportunity that will provide LHDs with resources to address vaccine hesitancy across the lifespan for routine, influenza, COVID-19, and other vaccines. Selected LHDs will receive training, technical assistance, and other resources to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, build partnerships with other local organizations, and identify areas of need to improve vaccine confidence and uptake.

Through this funding opportunity, NACCHO will issue up to three awards in the form of fixed priced contracts equaling $100,000 to LHDs that are selected to participate. The project period is expected to begin on January 1, 2024, and will end on July 31, 2024. Applications must be submitted through the online submission form no later than December 4, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET.

Eligibility Requirements

This opportunity is open to LHDs with an identified need or interest to promote vaccine confidence and contain vaccine misinformation as related to routine, influenza, COVID-19, and/or other vaccines. Priority may be given to LHDs who have not previously participated in a NACCHO immunization project, though all LHDs are encouraged to apply.

Expectations

All awardees will be required to conduct the following activities throughout the project period:

• Collaborate and partner with community organizations and stakeholders to improve education and outreach to identified communities impacted by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
• Conduct CDC’s Rapid Community Assessment (RCA) to identify communities at-risk for low vaccine uptake, better understand the local community’s vaccine needs and decisions, identify areas of intervention, and prioritize potential intervention strategies. This is a critical element of the award and will require a substantial time commitment.
• Use the RCA results to develop a workplan outlining LHD vaccine hesitancy goals, activities, partners, outcomes, and timelines.
• Contribute one Story from the Field about how the LHD worked with community partners to complete an RCA and highlight lessons learned to share with other LHDs.
• Contribute at least one resource, tool, or other best practice on addressing vaccine hesitancy to be shared on NACCHO’s communication platforms.

Interested in participating?

Start now by reviewing the RFA instructions. The application instructions include greater detail about expectations, timeline, and how to submit a proposal for funding. After reviewing, apply online!

Important dates!

• Optional informational webinar: An optional informational webinar for potential applicants will be held on November 16, at 1:00 PM EST. The webinar recording, slides, and an FAQ document will be shared with all registrants after the webinar. Register here.
• Application submission deadline: December 4, 2023, by 11:59 PM ET
• Anticipated notice of award: On or around December 19, 2023
• Anticipated start of project period:  January 2, 2024
• Anticipated end of project period: July 31, 2024

Questions?

For more information or questions, please email NACCHO at [email protected] and check this webpage for a regularly updated FAQ document and a recording of the optional informational webinar.