VaxWell New Hampshire Program

New Hampshire Public Health Association’s VaxWell NH program is a statewide coalition working to reduce vaccine-preventable disease by increasing immunization rates. Established in 2021, the coalition’s 80 members include healthcare providers, school nurses, policy experts, and public health educators and researchers. The program is funded by JSI. Our mission is to reduce vaccine preventable disease by increasing immunization rates statewide. VaxWell is committed to a broad array of vaccine-related issues, from ongoing pandemic response to the Live HPV Free Coalition to reduce cervical cancer.

There are many organizations working to expand understanding of the value and safety of immunization, and to provide equitable access to immunizations for New Hampshire’s diverse array of communities, from its urban centers to the rural North Country. VaxWell NH aligns and connects the various stakeholders in this critical work, developing and amplifying a consistent voice to more effectively reduce vaccine-preventable disease. 

Mentoring Program

This eight-month program is designed for undergraduate students, graduate students, and early career professionals (one to three years). The program starts in October and ends with a celebration in May. The mentoring program allows experienced public health professionals to impact public health mentees' career and professional development positively. Students and early career professionals will have the opportunity to network and explore a variety of public health careers.

​Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Workers in NH Program

The Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Workers in New Hampshire program is a collaborative effort between the New Hampshire Public Health Association's VaxWell New Hampshire Coalition and the University of New Hampshire's Occupational Health Surveillance Program. The program is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 

The program is designed to inform vaccination strategies for workers in essential workplaces. This program aims to:
  • Increase New Hampshire's capacity to collect industry and occupation data on COVID-19 vaccination in workers.
  • Explore the barriers of essential frontline workers in accessing and accepting the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Conduct outreach to employers and workers groups to increase vaccine confidence among essential worker populations in the state. 

Research Study

As part of this program, we are conducting a research study to learn about vaccine hesitancy among workers at small local businesses in New Hampshire. The COVID-19 pandemic has manifested a rise in vaccine hesitancy, particularly among small businesses and certain worker groups. UNH research frames this not as "an unprecedented crisis" but a renewed opportunity for dialogue, consensus-building, and education. 

The study aims to conduct two sets of focus groups of small New Hampshire local businesses and employees and employers to understand: 1) successful workplace practices; 2) challenges for small businesses to support employees' COVID-19 vaccination, and 3) workers' perspectives regarding COVID-19 vaccination. 

Focus Group Invitation

You are invited to participate in one of the focus group sessions to learn about your workplace safety and health experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as your perspectives on COVID-19 vaccination as a worker at a small local company in New Hampshire. Please read the invitation letters below to learn more about the study. The first step towards participation is to take a short survey about your company and your role at the company. A survey link is available in each invitation letter.  If you have any questions about this study, kindly contact Karla Armenti, Assistant Research Professor in the Institute on Disability, Occupational Health Surveillance Program at the University of New Hampshire at [email protected].

Health Equity & Disability

NHPHA has partnered with the NH Disability and Health Program and the NH Council for Developmental Disabilities to curate a list of resources, webinar, and organizations that can support individuals and departments in making their programs, venues, and policies accessible and inclusive of everyone.