Strengthening public health in Columbus and LaGrange
The challenge: Declining vaccination rates
- Vaccination rates are declining, increasing the risk of a serious measles outbreak in communities with rates below 92-95%.
- In Meriwether County, there is a 32.6% religious exemption rate.
- In Chattahoochee County, only 68% of toddlers have received their MMR vaccine.
- While Alabama’s vaccination rates are typically higher, Cleburne county has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state at 89%
- For comparison, Spartanburg—the location of the largest measles outbreak in the South in modern times—had an 88% vaccination rate.
Strategic approach & core pillars
SAPHL acts as a convener and backbone for a diverse coalition of public health, health care, and non-profit organizations across Georgia and Alabama. The approach elevates local voices over top-down methods through a framework of three core pillars:
-
1
Equipping professionals
Providing the data and training local partners need to clearly communicate public health priorities to communities and policymakers.
-
2
Building resiliency
Investing in people, shaping local policy, and fostering partnerships to transform isolated efforts into resilient networks.
-
3
Driving impact
Connecting healthcare, non-profits, and public health organizations to address care gaps and improve family health outcomes.
Strategies and indicators of success
Vaccine education training
Train at least 50 CHWs, Doulas, and early childcare providers across the region in 2026. Provide a quarterly "Community of Practice" space to debrief on successes and challenges.
Targeted access & mobile clinics
Coordinate at least one event targeting populations in specific catchments or schools.
Community education
Share information on vaccines and preventable diseases through community meetings and local press.
Education sector relationships
Establish relationships and action plans with at least two target schools or districts in 2027.
Protecting policy infrastructure
Recruit 25 public health ambassadors to discuss the importance of school vaccine requirements with legislators.
SAPHL’s Chattanooga immunization coalition
Imagine a Chattanooga where our children, families, and most vulnerable neighbors can live, learn, and thrive without the looming threat of preventable diseases. Our mission is clear: to elevate community immunity and virtually eliminate the risk of outbreaks like measles. We are transforming fragmented public health efforts into a powerful, resilient network by equipping our community with the tools, data, and evidence-based strategies needed to protect our city.
Unifying our community through trusted voices
To create lasting change, we are breaking down silos and bringing everyone to the table. We aim to bridge the gap between core public health agencies, frontline healthcare providers, and vital community pillars like local businesses and faith-based organizations. Because health decisions are deeply personal, we are empowering the voices our community already trusts. Together, we’ll build real-time communication networks to share guidelines and deploy resources exactly where our local data tells us they are needed most.
Empowering our schools
Schools are often at the heart of pediatric health, but we know our educators are already stretched thin. Our coalition is dedicated to integrating public health into the education sector by offering direct value and actively reducing administrative burdens. We are providing schools with operational toolkits, parent communication scripts, and visual exclusion flowcharts to make health compliance seamless.
Expanding access and compassionate advocacy
Overcoming vaccine hesitancy requires a delicate balance of compassionate communication and seamless physical access. We are actively working to foster trust-based relationships and address concerns head-on. By expanding after-hours availability, launching mobile clinics, and establishing school-based opportunities, we are making immunizations more convenient than ever.
Building a sustainable future together
For this coalition to drive generational change, it must be built to last. We are actively pursuing dedicated grant funding to ensure our initiatives have the financial resilience and dedicated staffing required to thrive. We are fighting to fund part-time health liaisons for local charter schools and directly incentivizing our frontline educators with "Healthy Classroom" micro-grants for completing health modules. We are building a robust, data-driven foundation that adapts to Chattanooga's evolving needs.
We need your partnership, your voice, and your commitment. Join the SAPHL Chattanooga Immunization Coalition today, and help us build a healthier, fully protected community for tomorrow.
Strategies and indicators of success
Vaccine education training
Train at least 50 CHWs, Doulas, and early childcare providers across the region in 2026. Provide a quarterly "Community of Practice" space to debrief on successes and challenges.
Targeted access & mobile clinics
Coordinate at least one event targeting populations in specific catchments or schools.
Community education
Share information on vaccines and preventable diseases through community meetings and local press.
Education sector relationships
Establish relationships and action plans with at least two target schools or districts in 2027.
Protecting policy infrastructure
Recruit 25 public health ambassadors to discuss the importance of school vaccine requirements with legislators.
DeKalb County coalition
Our DeKalb County partners are committed to improving health outcomes by ensuring every community has access to essential preventive care and reliable health information.
The data and why it matters
- There are 8,037 kindergarteners in DeKalb county.
- Currently, there are 1,033 unvaccinated kindergarteners.
- To raise the vaccination rate by one percentage point—which represents approximately 100 kindergarteners—what would that take?
Strategies and indicators of success
Vaccine education training
Train at least 50 CHWs, Doulas, and early childcare providers across the region in 2026. Provide a quarterly "Community of Practice" space to debrief on successes and challenges.
Targeted access & mobile clinics
Coordinate at least one event targeting populations in specific catchments or schools.
Community education
Share information on vaccines and preventable diseases through community meetings and local press.
Education sector relationships
Establish relationships and action plans with at least two target schools or districts in 2027.
Protecting policy infrastructure
Recruit 25 public health ambassadors to discuss the importance of school vaccine requirements with legislators.
Western North Carolina coalition
Across the mountains of Western North Carolina, we are fostering partnerships to transform isolated efforts into resilient, community-driven health networks.
Strategies and indicators of success
Vaccine education training
Train at least 50 CHWs, Doulas, and early childcare providers across the region in 2026. Provide a quarterly "Community of Practice" space to debrief on successes and challenges.
Targeted access & mobile clinics
Coordinate at least one event targeting populations in specific catchments or schools.
Community education
Share information on vaccines and preventable diseases through community meetings and local press.
Education sector relationships
Establish relationships and action plans with at least two target schools or districts in 2027.
Protecting policy infrastructure
Recruit 25 public health ambassadors to discuss the importance of school vaccine requirements with legislators.
