Lily Lemme and Kate Seneshen founded Colorado Teens for Vaccines in September of 2020.

​

Interested in public health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we began to look into the importance of vaccination. In our initial research and needs assessment, we discovered that Colorado has historically low vaccination rates. We became curious as to why, and more importantly, what could we do to help?

 

After meeting with various public health professionals, we learned that a major source of low vaccination rates is vaccine hesitancy: ​​the delay in acceptance of vaccines despite the availability of vaccine services. We learned that the majority of Coloradans know that vaccines are safe and effective. However, this majority is not as vocal or well-organized as the minority, those who support and spread anti-vaccine sentiments. In an effort to inflict positive change in our community, we decided to empower the voices of the majority who recognize the benefits of vaccination. 

 

Knowing the influential reach of social media as a digital advocacy tool, we launched an Instagram account and accumulated followers with educational posts about topics like HPV and the COVID-19 Vaccine. We networked with public health professionals (many of  whom later became mentors), recruited teen volunteers, and presented our cause to a vaccine coalition. Throughout our journey we have focused on the effectiveness of peer-to-peer advocacy (teens talking to teens) in uniting towards the common goal of better personal and community health across Colorado.