November 17, 2025
Healthier Generation and Kentucky Association of Health Plans Partner to Increase Childhood Vaccinations
Two-year effort will support schools and families in closing gaps in routine vaccine access.
National children’s health organization Alliance for a Healthier Generation, with support from Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP), announced today the launch of Bridging the Gap for a Healthier Kentucky.
As part of its approach to School Health Services, Healthier Generation is launching a two-year initiative to address declining immunization rates for routine and recommended childhood vaccines in Kentucky. Through its Childhood Vaccine Partnership framework, the organization will listen, identify, and co-create strategies with schools and communities to overcome barriers and strengthen vaccination efforts.
“Every child deserves protection from vaccine-preventable diseases, yet persistent barriers continue to put families at risk,” said Kathy Higgins, CEO of Healthier Generation. “With support from KAHP, we’re partnering with schools and communities to ensure that all children have access to the preventive care they need to grow up healthy.”
The initiative will focus on two counties: Fayette and Pulaski. In addition to the barriers found in many communities – including limited access to healthcare, concerns about vaccine safety, and misinformation – residents of urban Fayette County also face a variety of economic, language, transportation, and infrastructure challenges to accessing vaccinations. In rural Pulaski County, medical providers are few and families often face long travel times to clinics.
Supported by a $550,000 investment from KAHP, the initiative will engage schools, families, community organizations, and health systems to collaboratively develop and implement strategies tailored to meet these challenges, creating a model that can be adapted elsewhere in the state.
Access no-cost childhood vaccination resources for schools and families at HealthierGeneration.org/vaccines.
About Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a leading national nonprofit dedicated to advancing equitable whole child health by creating healthier school environments. Since 2005, we’ve partnered with over 57,000 school communities across all 50 states, reaching more than 31.3 million young people. Learn more and join the movement at HealthierGeneration.org, and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Instagram.