COVID-19 Vaccine Speaker Guide for School Administrators
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This guide provides background information and resources about inviting professionals to speak to school faculty, parents/guardians, and students about COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19
Free COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for everyone ages 6 months and older.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your school and community from the virus that causes COVID-19.
Encourage your faculty, parents/guardians, and students to get vaccinated and stay up to date with their vaccines
You can use your resources as a leader in your community to share information and encourage your school’s faculty, parents/guardians, and students to get vaccinated.
Hundreds of millions of people in the United States have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine—but not everyone has gotten all the recommended doses.
For the best protection, people 6 months and older need their initial doses and their updated vaccine when the time comes.
The information source matters
Consider inviting health care providers in your community to speak with school’s faculty, students, and parents/guardians.
When it comes to increasing confidence in and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines, the source of information is as important as the information itself.
People tend to believe and act on the advice of people they trust.
People most trust their health care providers, such as doctors and nurses, to provide them with reliable information about the vaccines. People also tend to view medical experts other than their own health care providers as trusted messengers.
How to find and host speakers
- Find local experts: Your first place to look should be your local public health department. They will likely have a list of vetted health care providers/experts who can speak about COVID-19 and the vaccines. Or they can refer you.
Other organizations to reach out to include:
- State chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- State medical society or association
- Local medical school
You can also visit vaccines.gov to find vaccine providers near you who may be able to connect you with a local pharmacist or doctor.
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Pick a date and a location: Pick a convenient, trusted location for your event, such as a school auditorium or cafeteria. Work with the speaker to consider the date and time that may work best for your school community and parents/guardians, including weekend and after-school hours.
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Prepare for the event and begin outreach: Work with the speaker to familiarize them with your school district’s rules and regulations. Finalize the event agenda and anticipate questions that may come up. Prepare handouts as necessary such as We Can Do This campaign resources pictured on the following page.
You will play a critical role in engaging and educating your school. Share information about the upcoming event, as well as general vaccination information—including that COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone ages 6 months and older. Make sure to share information on whether parental presence or consent is required for a COVID-19 vaccine, in line with state regulations. To amplify and engage your community, consider posting on social media, sharing signage, and leveraging trusted messengers in your school.
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Host your event: Work hand-in-hand with the speaker to finalize the operations of your event. Continue to engage your school system, including with day-of reminders. Identify a lead to liaise with the speaker to help ensure the day goes smoothly.
Share the COVID-19 public education campaign materials
Whoever you invite to speak with your school’s faculty, students, and parents/guardians, make sure they have the latest fact-based public health messaging from the We Can Do This campaign to help everyone make informed decisions about their health and COVID-19.
Below are some helpful resources from the Campaign:
