FY 2018 was a successful and productive year for the advocacy and policy program. The interim (non-legislative) year allowed TIP to gather data and information from stakeholders about the state of immunizations in Texas through 9 stakeholder meetings, in-district meetings with legislators, and numerous interactions with immunization supporters across the state. The information and data from these interactions, coupled with input from TIP’s Scientific Advisory Council, helped develop the organization’s legislative priorities for the 2019 Texas legislative session. Highlights from TIP’s FY 2018 advocacy and policy program include:

• 9 stakeholder meetings across Texas from March to May 2018 in Amarillo, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Houston, Laredo, Lubbock, Lufkin, Midland, and San Antonio.
• Over 360 immunization stakeholders attended the town hall meetings to learn about the current immunization policy landscape in Texas and share successes and challenges to maintaining and improving immunization rates.
• TIP was present during budget hearings in preparation for the 86th legislative session.
• TIP’s advocacy team was called upon by other states to share their advocacy successes and best practices achieved in Texas over the past couple of years.
• TIP reached over 20 states across the nation to share immunization advocacy best practices
• TIP administered a survey to Texas stakeholders to assess the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of stakeholders in regards to immunization-related issues, priorities, and recommended practices.
• Survey results were used to inform TIP’s legislative priorities in the 2019 Texas legislative session.

The stakeholder meetings for interim year 2020 will take place at different cities across the state.