Community Health Workers - Talking with Clients and Peers about Vaccination

Support Health. Build Trust. Make a Difference.

As a Traditional Health Worker, you are a trusted voice in your community.

Every day, you help people navigate their health choices—but when it comes to vaccines, conversations can be challenging. Misinformation spreads quickly, and vaccine hesitancy is on the rise.

This course gives you the knowledge, confidence, and communication tools to engage in meaningful, fact-based discussions about vaccines.

By learning how to address common concerns with clarity and cultural sensitivity, you’ll empower individuals to make informed decisions that protect their health and the well-being of those around them.

Why This Course Matters

The ability to talk openly and confidently about vaccines is more important than ever.

With the right approach, you can break down barriers, build trust, and inspire informed health choices.

This course will help you strengthen your ability to:

Navigate tough vaccine conversations with confidence.
Recognize and address misinformation in a way that resonates.
Use motivational communication to engage and educate without pressure.
Develop messages that connect across cultural and personal differences.

The skills you gain will not only help your clients and peers but also enhance your own professional growth as a respected health advocate in your community.

Course Overview

Over the course of just two hours, you’ll explore the history and impact of vaccines, understand common concerns, and learn practical strategies to respond effectively. You’ll also develop a personalized approach to addressing vaccine hesitancy, tailored to the communities you serve.

In essence, this course will help your community make informed health decisions.

This course covers:

The role of vaccines in public health and disease prevention.
The most common questions and concerns people have about immunizations.
How to recognize and combat misinformation with confidence.
Effective strategies for motivational and culturally competent communication.
How to navigate vaccine recommendations and schedules.

How It Works

This self-paced, online course allows you to learn at your convenience. With just a two-hour time commitment, you’ll gain valuable tools that can immediately improve your conversations with clients, peers, and community members.

🎓 CEUs: Earn 2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) (Oregon Health Authority certified)
📝 Completion Requirement: Pass three short quizzes (80% or higher)

Who Should Enroll?

This course is designed for Community Health Workers and other Oregon-certified Traditional Health Workers who are looking to:

Earn CEUs to maintain certification.
Strengthen their ability to communicate about vaccines with confidence.
Expand their role as a trusted source of health information.
Help their communities make informed health choices.

On demand. Access any time.

2 hours

Online

$25

Request More Information

Additional Information: 2 CEU's (OHA certifying)

Download the course syllabus here

Instructors

Oralia Mendez

Oralia Mendez, MPH Manager, Workforce Development & Community Programs, Oregon State University

Oralia joined the Oregon State University Center for Health Innovation in 2019. Prior to her role, she served as a Health Navigator, also known as a Community Health Worker (CHW), for the Benton County Health Department. Oralia received her bachelor's and MPH in Health Management and Policy from OSU. She is originally from Nyssa in Eastern Oregon.

Araceli Mendez

Araceli Mendez holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in health systems and policy from Oregon State University. Prior to her involvement with OSU, Araceli worked professionally as a Community Health Worker for Benton County. She now has 9+ years of professional Community Health Worker experience and continues to enjoy serving her community. She currently serves as a Program Coordinator with the OSU Center for Health Innovation and is a co-instructor for the CHW Training at Oregon State University.

Past Students' Work

Take a look at some recent projects our students have created.

Community Health Workers: Talking with Clients and Peers about Vaccination