Across the state, community organizations have been working hard to vaccinate Coloradans against COVID-19 and ensure equity for those who have less power and privilege. Setting up sites, providing patient navigation, translating materials, coordinating transportation and more – we’ve heard about so many life-saving efforts in every corner of Colorado.
The following are a series of resources for organizations and individuals that are engaging people who are hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccines. The recommendations in these documents are based on recent, deep qualitative research with Black, Latino and Native American Coloradans. The research included a landscape analysis, 18 focus groups with 93 participants (10 Latino/Hispanic groups including six in Spanish, four Black/African American groups, two Native American groups and two White groups) and a large survey of 1,506 Coloradans. Testing demonstrated an increase in likelihood to get vaccinated when messengers build trust, answer questions and inspire hope.
We recommend you first familiarize yourself with the overall messaging guide to understand the best practices for communicating with people who have not yet decided whether to get vaccinated. Once you’ve reviewed the full guide, we invite you to use any of the supporting documents that make sense for your organization. For example, if you have a regular newsletter you send to your community, you can copy the newsletter content and adapt it to your needs. Similarly, for social media campaigns or planned canvass outreach. Feel free to edit or adjust text so that it matches your organization’s voice, or if you need additional support or more adaptation than your organization can provide, reach out to Joanne Schwartz at Momentum Advisors to receive additional technical assistance.
Overall messaging guide
This guide outlines messaging best practices when talking with people who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, including sections on what to avoid in those conversations.
Resources
Overall messaging guide: ALWAYS START HERE. This guide outlines messaging best practices when talking with people who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, including sections on what to avoid in those conversations.
- Guia de mensajes (Spanish translation)
- Vietnamese translation
Pocket conversation guide: Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the overall guide, use this one as a quick reference tool to keep your conversations on track.
- Guia de conversacion de bolsillo (Spanish translation)
How to guide for testimonials and videos: Based on our research, this document outlines best practices for recording your own videos to encourage people to get the vaccines; it also includes a section on what to avoid.
- Como crear su propio testimonio sobre las vacunas (Spanish translation)
Sample videos: We have included videos from our research that were effective in moving audiences, and you are invited to post, share, or distribute through your own channels. Our latest versions of the videos are directly linked here:
- Dr. Cleveland Piggott, Family Physician: https://youtu.be/lJxWECnVu5U
- Olga Gonzalez, Executive Director, Cultivando: https://youtu.be/msxh2NLsv28
- Ximena Rebolledo Leon (English): https://youtu.be/p8XDV4DiXAM
- Ximena Rebolledo Leon (Spanish): https://youtu.be/mX_ZCtzTDDY
Canvass discussion guide: For organizations that plan to have detailed conversations by phone or in-person, this document outlines the best practices, including who to target and how to start and close the conversation.
- Guia de diálogo de conversación (Spanish translation)
Sample emails: The first email in this document can be used to email your full community, encouraging them to ask questions, get vaccinated, or share their own vaccine story; the second email focuses on best practices for sharing your vaccine story and should be used with internal staff, volunteers, or community members who are already vaccinated and will be engaging with unvaccinated, hesitant audiences.
- Correos electrónicos de ejemplo (Spanish translation)
Sample newsletter: This document can be used as part of a periodic newsletter you already send, and it encourages your community members to reach out, ask questions, and get more information.
- Boletin de muestra (Spanish translation)
Sample social media posts: The posts included in this document can be easily adapted to fit your organization’s voice, and they are designed to initiate conversations and resource sharing with your online community followers.
- Ejemplos de publicaciones en las redes sociales (Spanish translation)
Template and sample handouts:
- "Did you know?" postcard template
- "What's your story?" sample door hanger
- Know your rights: This flyer helps clarify that vaccine providers cannot require identification, proof of residency or address, proof of insurance or employment.
- Conozca sus derechos (Spanish translation)
Frequently asked questions (FAQ): This document outlines the most frequently asked questions and answers about the COVID-19 vaccines.
- Preguntas frecuentes (Spanish translation)
- A guide to COVID-19 booster shots
- Guia sobre las vacunas de refuerzo contra el COVID-19 (Spanish translation)
Trusted resources: This list of resources are the most trusted sources for clear, factual information about the COVID-19 vaccines.
- Lista de fuentes de confianza (Spanish translation)
Resources for specific audiences:
- Resource for educators
- Recurso para educadores (Spanish translation)
- Vaccines and masks: a guide for parents
- Una guia para padres (Spanish translation)
- In-depth FAQ on breastfeeding and the COVID-19 vaccines
- Preguntas frecuentes en profundidad: lactancia (Spanish translation)
- In-depth FAQ on fertility, menstrual cycles, and the COVID-19 vaccines
- Fertilidad y ciclos menstruales - COVID-19 (Spanish translation)
- Resources for parents and youth
Heartwired: Vaccine Confidence Messaging Guide (developed by research team)
- Mensajes eficaces sobre la vacuna (Spanish translation)
PSA’s aimed at increasing youth vaccinations:
- Oregon:
Questions?
If you have questions or would like additional support, you can email Austin Montoya at [email protected].
If you are interested in joining a periodic listserv that shares resources on this topic or participating in a monthly group that convenes to discuss outreach and communications best practices, please fill out this form.