On Monday, AVMA launched a targeted campaign to encourage members, the veterinary healthcare team, and clients to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they are able. This campaign was encouraged by the CDC, as the agency recognizes the key role veterinarians play in society and public health. You may see campaign elements in your email, social media feeds, through advertising on websites that you visit, in your mailbox, or even on digital screens at various businesses.
As veterinarians, we understand the power of vaccines and are uniquely qualified to share their importance in preventing and controlling disease, and we have created a variety of materials for members to use in sharing this information in their practices and communities. These include posters for practice lobbies and back office areas, client handouts, talking points for discussing the vaccine with clients or the public, an FAQ about the vaccine itself, language you can use for on-hold messages or on appointment reminders and videos. Many of the materials offer multiple versions featuring veterinarians interacting with various animal species, so that they are relevant to different audiences. Physical campaign materials will be mailed the week of December 3rd to practices located within geographic areas that have been reported by the CDC to have lower vaccination rates. You are invited to view www.avma.org/VaccinationTools to view and download any of these materials.
We fully understand that not every veterinarian will be comfortable discussing the COVID-19 vaccine, and that every encounter with a colleague or client simply isn’t going lend itself to a conversation about vaccination against COVID-19. The resource materials are intended to make that conversation easier for those who are comfortable and do want to take the opportunity to discuss it with their colleagues and clients.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Dr. Gail Golab
Chief Veterinary Officer
Angela Roberts
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
American Veterinary Medical Association