Increasing Vaccine Confidence Among Tribal Communities

Author: Tyanne Conner, MS, Native Boost Project Coordinator and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) member. It is part of our “Stronger Together Oregon” blog series that focuses on communities of color in Oregon.

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) serves the 43 federally recognized Tribes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.  Our mission is to eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality healthcare.  The Native Boost project strives to increase vaccine confidence and increase childhood immunization rates in Tribal communities by using culturally relevant frameworks for messaging and community engagement. Guided by Tribal Advisory Committee on Immunizations (TACI), Native Boost provides education materials and support to providers, parents, and caregivers. 

 

We are proud to share some of the PSAs we have done to remind people that vaccines are safe, effective, save lives, and preserve culture.  At the end of April, we gave an Indian Country ECHO presentation to help build Community Health Representative (CHR) skills around HPV vaccine conversations with parents.  We are also active on social media and work to remind folks to keep their child’s regular vaccines up to date.  

Throughout the pandemic, Tribes have done great work to roll out vaccines to Tribal members and surrounding community members.  At Fort Hall in Idaho, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes recently wrapped up a TikTok challenge for youth under age 24 to remind their community members to stay fit and safe during the pandemic and the responses were creative.  The winner received a PS5!  

We are thrilled with our on-going partnership with Boost Oregon and appreciate all of their support, encouragement, and resources.  We couldn’t do the important work we do without relationships like this one.