Immunize.org has updated its webpage compiling state immunization requirements, aiming to help public health officials, clinicians, families, and policymakers keep up with regularly changing vaccine policies. The resource includes information on school entry immunization requirements, exemption policies specific to each state, and links to relevant state immunization pages.
The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) has released an expanded version of its “Communicating with H.E.A.R.T in Public Health” guide. First published in 2024, the guide is designed to support empathetic communication within public health settings. It uses the acronym H.E.A.R.T.—Humility/Honesty, Engagement/Equity, Accessibility/Authenticity, Resonance/Reach, Transcreation/Transparency—to remind communicators of approaches that center empathy and compassion. The updated guide offers practical considerations such as active listening techniques and examples for applying these principles.
In a separate initiative focused on HPV prevention, the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC) has launched new educational videos aimed at parents in India. The first video discusses the global impact of cervical cancer and emphasizes timely vaccination for children. The second video presents a personal story from a mother who experienced cervical cancer and explains her motivation for vaccinating her daughters. These videos are currently available in English with plans for Hindi versions soon.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has developed a social media toolkit promoting four vaccines recommended during pregnancy: COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and Tdap. This toolkit provides messaging that can be used directly or tailored by healthcare professionals to better connect with patients through social media platforms.
“Communicating with H.E.A.R.T in Public Health” was created to provide practical considerations for empathetic communications. According to PHCC:
“H: Humility, Honesty
E: Engagement, Equity
A: Accessibility, Authenticity
R: Resonance, Reach
T: Transcreation, Transparency
The guide reviews active listening, questions communicators can pose to themselves when preparing materials, and five examples of putting H.E.A.R.T. to work.”
