Adaptable Toolkit for Civil Society and Patient Advocacy Organizations

Vaccination is an important component of healthy ageing and chronic disease prevention. Yet across Canada, many older adults and people living with chronic conditions continue to face barriers to awareness, access, and informed decision-making related to adult respiratory vaccination. 

Recognizing the important role of patient advocacy and civil society organizations (CSOs) as trusted partners within communities, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) has developed this adaptable toolkit to support education, community engagement, and advocacy related to adult respiratory vaccination. 

 Designed for organizations working with older adults, caregivers, patients, and other priority populations, the toolkit provides practical, evidence-based resources that can be tailored to local contexts and community needs. It supports organizations in communicating trusted information, facilitating informed conversations, and promoting equitable access to recommended adult vaccines. 

The toolkit includes: 

• Background information on adult respiratory vaccination and healthy ageing. 

• Evidence summaries on influenza and COVID-19. 

• Adaptable key messages for community education and outreach. 

• Practical resources to help individuals navigate trusted vaccination information and services. 

• An advocacy letter template and guidance to support engagement with policymakers and other decision-makers. 

Developed as a practical resource, the toolkit is intended to be adapted to reflect the priorities, audiences, and communities each organization serves. Whether supporting community education, stakeholder engagement, or advocacy initiatives, it aims to strengthen the role of civil society in advancing healthy ageing and improving equitable access to adult vaccination across Canada. 

Download the toolkit below and adapt it to support your organization’s efforts to strengthen awareness, education, community engagement, and advocacy related to adult respiratory vaccination.