Vaccine Equity & Access Program (VEAP)
When the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation and world, the same structural racism that led to significant health disparities in this country was further crystallized when systemically excluded communities—Native American, Black, Asian, Latino, and Pacific Islander—experienced disproportionate rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death. Traditional public health approaches have consistently failed to reach and serve these communities effectively. In 2022, a National Health Interview Survey showed that white adults were more likely to receive their recommended vaccines than Black and Hispanic adults, highlighting persistent vaccination disparities that extend beyond COVID-19 infection.
To increase COVID-19 and influenza vaccine confidence, access, and availability among minoritized racial and ethnic communities, Community Catalyst developed the Vaccine Equity and Access Program (VEAP). Through the program, Community Catalyst partnered with 125 community-based organizations and three national non-profit organizations — LeadingAge, the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition, and Young Invincibles — to develop and implement effective health communication and community engagement strategies designed to increase adult vaccination confidence and uptake. Initially focused on combatting mis/disinformation and increasing adult vaccination rates for COVID-19 and the flu, over the course of four years, the project evolved into increasing vaccine access and confidence for other recommended vaccines across their lifespan.
125 community-based organizations
and partnerships across 42 States, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
163 million people
received critical vaccination information through campaigns created by VEAP partners.
Over the course of four years, VEAP and their partners trained over 130,000 trusted messengers, distributed vaccine information in over 67 languages and dialects, hosted 16,000 vaccination events, and delivered over 230,000 COVID-19 and flu vaccines to communities.
At a time when misinformation and disinformation were spreading faster than facts, VEAP was a leader in reimagining what it means to successfully engage communities in times of crisis.
VEAP’s success wasn’t just the scale of work—it was the strategy. Trusted messengers, empowered communities, and equity-centered storytelling that moves people to action. The program flipped the script on traditional public health initiatives by resourcing community-based organizations as message creators, not just amplifiers. This work proved that community-based organizations are vital components of the public health workforce due to their cultural competence, established community trust, and deep understanding of their communities’ needs.
In a moment of shrinking public health infrastructure and rising mis/disinformation, VEAP offers a roadmap for what’s possible when we stop talking at communities and start investing in them.
