Whether you are a public health provider interested in setting up a Vote & Vax clinic or simply want to learn more about our project, Vote & Vax has answers to your questions.
Below, we’ve answered several commonly asked questions about the Vote & Vax program. As we begin to post updates on future Vote & Vax efforts, check back here for updated questions and new information. If we don’t answer your question here, please feel free to Contact Us.
May provider organizations form partnerships to host Vote & Vax clinics? For example, may a local public health department partner or contract out to a for-profit provider to operate a Vote & Vax clinic?
Yes. Vote & Vax supports providers working in partnership to host Vote & Vax clinics. These partnerships can be any combination of public sector, nonprofit and/or private sector providers.
Can for-profit providers of vaccinations participate in Vote & Vax?
Yes. Vote & Vax can be hosted by any public sector, nonprofit or private sector provider as well as any collaboration of such providers as long as they agree to operate in accordance with Vote & Vax principles.
Do we charge for delivering a flu shot at a Vote and Vax clinic?
Yes. Providers should charge for influenza vaccinations as they would at any of their other community flu shot clinics.
How do I choose the right polling places or adjacent sites at which to set up a clinic?
Consider the public health needs of the communities you are planning to serve. Are influenza vaccination rates likely to be high or low at those sites? Consider operational factors as well. Is there parking available nearby? Is there space to accommodate a clinic? If not, is there an appropriate facility in the immediate vicinity? The final selection of the clinic location(s) is ideally done in partnership with your local election authority if possible.
What election regulations must we comply with to hold a Vote & Vax clinic?
Regulations vary from state to state. Contact your local election official to learn about regulations specific to your community and consult the Technical Assistance Resource Guide, which can be downloaded from this web site. Even if you are not holding your flu clinic at the polling site we strongly recommend being informed about your local regulations.
What kind of permissions do I need to participate in the Vote & Vax program?
To become an official Vote & Vax clinic, you must provide a signed
Letter of Agreement (found on pages 14-18 of Vote & Vax Setting Up a Successful Clinic in Your Community 2016). If your clinic will be located at the polling site OR if you will be promoting your clinic at a polling site, the Letter of Agreement must be signed by your local election official. If your clinic will not be held at a polling site the Letter of Agreement may be signed by the health provider’s organization.
Can I participate without obtaining permission from my local election official?
Yes. Although we strongly recommend partnering with your local election official, it is not always possible to receive approval and therefore not a requirement for participating in the Vote & Vax program.
Does my Vote & Vax clinic have to be at the exact same location as the polling site?
No. It is preferred that your local clinic be held at the polling site but Vote & Vax clinics can be held away from the official polling location. However, the key to a successful Vote & Vax clinic is convenience. If a Vote & Vax clinic is held away from the polling site, it should still be easily accessible.
Is funding available to support local flu clinics from Vote & Vax?
No. Vote & Vax does not have direct funding available; however, we will be providing a wealth of free technical assistance as well as conducting national marketing outreach to help ensure the success of your local Vote & Vax clinics. Our goal is that Vote & Vax will become part of local public health practice, and we are providing the tools to help make that possible.
The advantages to holding Vote and Vax clinics are many:
They are cost-effective because they can be large and provide an excellent return on your investment.
Providers are unlikely to be left holding much vaccine because Election Day is early in the season.
They are great for agency public relations.
Some of the residents in our area are not proficient in English. How can we reach them?
Information about influenza vaccination is available in many languages. In communities with large numbers of non-English speakers, federal law requires bilingual or multilingual voting materials. If your clinic is active in such a community, you should have information about adult immunizations in all languages commonly used in your community.
How can we promote our Vote & Vax clinic?
After registering, you will receive promotion materials and technical assistance on how to maximize your outreach efforts. Many of these materials can be tailored to the needs of your agency and community.
Can I run a Vote & Vax clinic without registering?
No.
