Autism Society of America Joins National Initiative to Support Local Vaccination Outreach Activities

ROCKVILLE, MD, January 3, 2023 – As the nation enters the coldest months of the winter season with high rates of hospitalization due to COVID-19 and one of the worst flu seasons on record, the need for older adults and people with disabilities to get vaccinated is at a critical point. To combat rising hospitalization rates among older adults and people with disabilities for both COVID-19 and the flu, two groups that are known to experience the most severe illness from these two conditions, the Autism Society of America is proud to announce that it is a partner in the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, a $75 million initiative funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living to provide outreach, technical assistance, and support to promote vaccination uptake. As the only Autism organization selected, the Autism Society of America is proud and committed to continuing our work in health equity and our Vaccine Education Initiative.

Led by USAging, the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative will distribute funds to enable organizations across the aging and disability networks to perform an array of vaccination promotion activities. Organizations selected for funding will host community vaccine clinics, provide in-home vaccinations, provide transportation to vaccination sites, and will conduct outreach and education to older adults and people with disabilities among other activities. 

“The Autism Society of America recognizes the vital role that organizations serving older adults and people with disabilities play in encouraging these populations to get vaccinated,” said Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “We are proud to partner with USAging and an array of more than 20 national organizations serving older adults and people with disabilities, to promote vaccination uptake to the populations that are at greatest risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19 and the flu.”

Organizations seeking to apply to receive funds to support their local vaccination outreach activities will be able to apply to receive funding through the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative at www.usaging.org/advc as early as this week.  Learn more about this effort.

Members of the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative

Lead partners

• USAging (convener)
• ADvancing States
• Association of University Centers on Disabilities
• Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)

Partners

• American Association of Service Coordinators
• Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
• AT3 Center
• Autism Society of America
• Diverse Elders Coalition
• Lutheran Services in America
• Meals on Wheels America
• National Adult Day Services Association
• National Asian Pacific Center on Aging
• National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
• National Association of Nutrition and Aging Service Providers
• National Caucus and Center on Black Aging
• National Council on Independent Living
• National Disability Rights Network
• National Hispanic Council on Aging
• National Indian Council on Aging
• SAGE: Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders
• The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies

# # #