𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔 𝗗𝗣𝗦 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲

One School, One Vaccine at a Time: Julissa Soto’s Mission to Build Trust in Immunization Through Schools

In a recent episode of the EDUCA DPS Podcast, Julissa Soto, a vaccine global ambassador and CEO of Latino Health Equity Consulting, shared insights on her groundbreaking program, "One School, One Vaccine at a Time." This initiative is a direct response to the persistent disparities in vaccine access and health equity, particularly within Latino and underserved communities.

As a longtime advocate for public health, Soto has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between healthcare systems and communities that face cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers to accessing vaccines. Through One School, One Vaccine at a Time, she is working hand-in-hand with schools, families, and healthcare providers to create a more inclusive and informed approach to immunization.

Building a Movement for Health Equity

The impact of One School, One Vaccine at a Time extends beyond increasing vaccine uptake—it is building a movement focused on health equity, trust, and community-led solutions. Soto’s work aligns with broader public health goals by:

✔️ Reducing health disparities in vaccine access for minority communities
✔️ Strengthening partnerships between schools, healthcare providers, and families
✔️ Creating sustainable change by fostering long-term trust in public health initiatives

As Soto shared on the EDUCA DPS Podcast, this initiative is about more than just vaccines—it’s about empowering communities with the knowledge, resources, and access they need to protect their health and well-being.

Video in English

Video in Spanish

Why Schools? The Key to Community Trust

Schools play a central role in community engagement, making them a powerful platform for health education and vaccine accessibility. Soto’s approach prioritizes meeting families where they are—in a familiar, trusted environment—to remove common barriers to vaccine access.

🚸 Bringing Vaccines Directly to Families
Many families, especially those in immigrant and underserved communities, face logistical challenges in accessing healthcare, such as:

• Limited transportation options

• Work schedule conflicts

• Language barriers

• Misinformation or lack of culturally relevant information

By offering vaccine clinics within schools, Soto eliminates these barriers, ensuring that families have a safe space to ask questions, receive information in their preferred language, and make informed health decisions.

🗣 Culturally Responsive Communication
Soto emphasizes the power of cultural validation in vaccine outreach. Many Latino and immigrant families hesitate to vaccinate due to past experiences of medical mistrust, misinformation, or fear of government institutions. Through bilingual engagement, storytelling, and community ambassadors, she fosters open conversations about vaccine safety and efficacy, helping parents feel heard and respected.

📚 Empowering Parents & Students with Knowledge
The program also serves as an educational tool, equipping parents and students with accurate, science-based vaccine information while addressing misconceptions in a compassionate and culturally competent manner.

How You Can Support This Initiative

📌 School Administrators & Educators: If you are interested in bringing One School, One Vaccine at a Time to your school, reach out to Julissa Soto and her team for collaboration opportunities.

📌 Healthcare Providers: Partnering with community organizations like Latino Health Equity Consulting ensures culturally competent and accessible healthcare for families who need it most.

📌 Community Members & Parents: Get involved by sharing accurate vaccine information, advocating for health programs in schools, and encouraging open conversations about immunization within your community.