20th Annual ACIC Conference
Uniting for immunity. Looking forward together.
The 2025 conference brought immunization, public health, school health, policy, ethics, behavioral science, and trusted communication into one shared conversation.
Marking seven decades since the 1955 announcement that the polio vaccine was safe, effective, and potent.
Conference recap
A milestone year grounded in what public trust requires now.
The conference opened by looking back at the legacy of polio vaccination, then moved directly into the threats, policies, access barriers, and communication challenges shaping immunization work today.
Attendees represented health systems, public health, schools, pharmacies, community organizations, and students. The program emphasized coordinated action across the settings where vaccine questions and decisions actually happen.
- Stronger, more empathetic approaches to vaccine conversations
- Practical strategies for local preparedness, access, and coordination
- Greater use of interprofessional and community-based partnerships
Program
Legacy, preparedness, ethics, behavior, and trust.
The program connected national expertise with the local settings where immunization work is carried out every day.
Welcome and opening remarks: Jenny Bender, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC
Keynote Reflections on Vaccine Legacy and Public Trust
Peter L. Salk, MD
Lessons from the history of polio vaccination and their relevance to public trust today.
Emerging Pathogens, Pandemic Threats, and Local Preparedness
Emerging infectious-disease threats, surveillance, and the practical requirements of local readiness.
Statewide Collaboration and Policy in Practice
Tom McCleaf
Statewide coordination, policy implementation, and collaboration across Pennsylvania's immunization community.
The Ethics of Vaccination
Ethical principles in vaccine development, distribution, mandates, and real-world public-health decisions.
Barriers and Breakthroughs in School Vaccination
Kara Miles, BSN, RN, NCNSN
School-based access barriers, family engagement, vaccine schedules, and informed decision-making.
Behavioral Drivers of Vaccine Decision-Making
Behavioral-science principles that can strengthen communication and support vaccine uptake.
What Trust Requires Now: Cross-Sector Insights
Raymond Pontzer, MD, moderator · Richard Zimmerman, MD · Marian Michaels, MD · Donald Middleton, MD · John Alcorn, PhD
Cross-sector perspectives on trust, access, public-health practice, and equitable vaccination coverage.
System-Level Approaches to Building Vaccine Confidence
System-level policies and quality-improvement approaches that support confidence and coordination.
The Trusted Messenger Model: Narrative Defense Against Misinformation
Todd Wolynn, MD & Chad Hermann
Trusted messengers, narrative defense, and consistent relationship building in the face of misinformation.
Conference video
A brief look back at the 20th annual conference.
Watch highlights from the day, then use the resources below to view the agenda, presentations, photographs, and media coverage.
Conference resources
Materials from the day, kept in one place.
Conference support
Thank you to the organizations that helped make the day possible.
- Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation
- The Children’s Institute
- Dynavax
- GSK
- Medical Reserve Corps
- Merck
- Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition
- Pathways Wellness Program
- Pfizer
- Pitt Vaccination and Health Connection HUB
- Sanofi
- University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
Continue with ACIC
Twenty years of collaboration, with the work still moving forward.
Explore the full conference archive or visit the current conference page for the next ACIC professional learning opportunity.