The Sacramento Valley Immunization Coalition (SVIC) held its first in-person meeting in March 2026. The coalition brings together people from El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. The goal of SVIC is to keep communities safe from vaccine preventable diseases by building trust through:
- Transparency
- Science- based education
- Strong community partnership
Those who take part depend on Future of Public Health (FoPH) funding to support staffing.
Mission and Purpose
SVIC's mission is to protect and improve the health of those living and working in the greater Sacramento Valley. They work to achieve and sustain strong immunization protection across all ages.
SVIC wants everyone to feel confident when making choices about their health. That’s why they work to help people understand and trust the science behind vaccines. They’ve found creative ways to keep going even with funding and staffing challenges. The committee added volunteers and partnered with groups such as managed care plans. These partnerships help SVIC reach those most in need.
SVIC Participants 
SVIC members include:
- Public health workers
- School nurses
- Doctors
- Pharmacists
- Managed care plans
- State immunization groups
Over 80 people came together at the in-person kickoff event. Speakers included:
- County Health Officers Dr. Olivia Kasirye and Dr. Robert Oldham, who opened the event.
- Lynnan Svensson, Sacramento County Nursing Division Manager and Director of Nursing, talked about the history of local immunization coalitions. She also discussed how SVIC is helping restart this important work.
- Dr. Jeffery Silvers from Sutter Health gave a talk about the “Big Three” Respiratory viruses (COVID, flu and RSV). He focused on science and vaccines.
- Jessica Malaty Rivera, an infectious disease expert, spoke about how sharing facts can help fight misinformation.
Anthem and Partnership Health Plan sponsored the lunch and event. At the event, Sacramento County Public Health (SCPH) and California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) formed a new partnership. SCPH presented a vaccine update to campus health leads from across the state. They also supported CSUS with vaccination efforts.
“I've heard wonderful things about the turnout and the energy behind this effort. Vaccinating against preventable diseases is a public health priority. A coordinated regional approach is exactly the kind of partnership that makes our work stronger. I look forward to supporting SVIC as it grows and seeing the impact this coalition will have on our communities.”
-Sacramento County Health Officer adn Director, Dr. Phoung Luu
Working Towards a Healthier California Through Trust
Building public trust has been central to SVIC’s strategy. They’ve been able to earn respect as a reliable source of information by:
- Providing clear science-backed communication
- Preparing to host community forums and listening sessions
SVIC knows that showing up and listening to people matters. They are developing workgroups so that engagement with the community can start. Upcoming events will continue this tradition. The coalition plans to offer more in-person training in the future. As one member shared, “SVIC is more than a coalition. It’s a movement that empowers our community to make informed health decisions. We celebrate every step forward.” Every month, SVIC leaders meet to plan new goals and activities. These include:
- Hosting upcoming events to foster dialogue
- Welcoming new participants
They keep working hard to protect their counties from diseases that vaccines can prevent. This work is possible with FoPH, which funds many of the positions leading these efforts. SVIC hopes to keep growing and expand its reach. The coalition welcomes everyone who shares its vision to join the journey toward a healthier Sacramento Valley.
Photos courtesy of: Sacramento Valley Immunization Coalition (SVIC)
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