ALA partners with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to share trusted vaccine information

For Immediate Release
Mon, 04/11/2022

Contact:

Shawnda Hines

Assistant Director, Communications

Public Policy and Advocacy

shines@alawash.org

Campaign provides expert-verified outreach tools for libraries

Washington, D.C. -- The American Library Association (ALA) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ We Can Do This campaign to share trusted information about COVID-19 vaccines with parents and families with children. 

“Throughout the pandemic, libraries have provided crucial resources to help Americans stay safe, informed, and connected,” said Patty Wong, president of the American Library Association. “Next, we’re stepping up to make sure parents have accurate information about recommended vaccines for their kids. ALA is pleased to partner with the We Can Do This campaign to facilitate the work libraries have been doing all along.

The partnership will focus on information for parents and guardians of children younger than 12 years old. COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 were recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in November 2021. Currently, vaccination rates for ages 5-11 are significantly lower than older age groups: just 35 percent of people ages 5-11 have received at least one dose, compared to 87 percent of people ages 12 and older.

The We Can Do This campaign provides a range of expert-verified outreach tools and sharable resources that libraries can use to inform their communities, including resources about COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 and older.

Information about how to get a free COVID-19 vaccine is available at vaccines.gov.