As schools across the country are going back in session this fall for in-person learning, consider partnering with your local school district to promote vaccines for youth ages 12-17 and other COVID-19 prevention efforts like testing. NRC-RIM has resources, fact sheets, and best practices to support your efforts.
Begin or maintain valuable partnerships
In the COVID-19 response, partnerships are essential to reaching refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. K-12 schools serve as community resources to assist RIM students and families and are deeply rooted in their communities. Schools are uniquely positioned to bridge cultural and linguistic knowledge gaps for health departments. Learn how organizations across the country are partnering with schools in their area.
Youth groups can also be effective outreach partners, helping to provide door-to-door information, distributing resources and empowering the youth in the community to be active participants in emergency health response. Learn how a youth outreach group is making a difference in Kansas City.
Promote vaccines in school communities
The CDC guidance for K-12 schools calls for districts to promote vaccination among teachers, staff, families, and eligible students. NRC-RIM can help by providing COVID-19 vaccine campaign and education materials in more than 40 languages with easy-to-use, customizable templates. Check out Get Vaccinated and Get the Facts to get started.
Talk to students and families about vaccines
Educators and school staff can learn how to talk about COVID-19 at school in this training by our partners at Made to Save. Teachers, school staff, and community partners can answer common questions about vaccines for children and youth with this conversation guide. If you need more help, review the recording of our webinar on the same topic. Consider handing out our fact sheet at back to school events or other promotional opportunities; translations will be ready soon.
In addition to vaccines for youth, many school staff are getting questions about the Delta variant. Our conversation guide and fact sheet can be helpful resources.
Hold a vaccine clinic at school
President Biden has called for every school district in the country to hold at least one vaccine clinic for students aged 12 and up and their families. Public health departments and other organizations can partner with schools to make this a reality. Ensure your event is affirming for families from refugee, immigrant and migrant communities by reviewing this guide from the Minnesota Department of Health, our resource on holding mobile vaccine clinics, and a checklist for vaccine roll-out among RIM communities.