PHILADELPHIA, PA — As vaccination gaps persist across the United States, GSK announced it has awarded $2 million in grants to 16 nonprofit organizations nationwide, backing community-driven efforts to boost immunization rates and modernize vaccine outreach.
The funding marks the 2025 awards for GSK’s COiMMUNITY Initiative, now in its third year, which supports state, regional, and national organizations working to improve vaccine education, strengthen immunization systems, and keep disease prevention at the forefront of public health efforts. The company also committed an additional $3 million in grant funding for 2026, with applications now open.
According to GSK, the 2025 grant recipients are taking diverse approaches to improving vaccination uptake, from infrastructure upgrades and behavioral science training to advocacy campaigns aimed at high-risk populations.
Leonard Friedland, vice president of scientific affairs and public health for vaccines at GSK, said the organizations share a common goal despite their varied strategies. He said each is addressing barriers to immunization by supporting healthcare teams, improving systems, and engaging communities to turn prevention into action.
Among this year’s grantees is The J.A.M.I.E. Group, which is using COiMMUNITY funding to expand education and advocacy around meningococcal disease, commonly known as meningitis. The illness, though uncommon, can be deadly, with about one in 10 patients dying even with treatment and roughly one in five developing long-term disabilities. College-age young adults are among those at highest risk.
Cofounders Jamie and Patsy Schanbaum said the funding will allow the group to work with city and state officials in New York to raise awareness about meningitis prevention, emphasizing that the disease can change lives in a matter of hours despite being vaccine-preventable.
Another recipient, Immunize Colorado, is applying behavioral science to train healthcare providers, educators, and public health professionals on how to discuss vaccines more effectively during everyday patient interactions. Executive Director Susan Lontine said the program focuses on practical, skills-based sessions that help providers listen to concerns, respond with empathy, and guide patients toward informed decisions.
Other 2025 grant recipients include the American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Pharmacists Association, Arkansas Immunization Action Coalition, Association of Immunization Managers, Health Betterment Initiative, Indiana Immunization Coalition, National Council on Aging, Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, Sepsis Alliance, The Arizona Partnership for Immunization, UNITY Consortium, and Voices for Vaccines.
Looking ahead, GSK said it will award $3 million in COiMMUNITY Initiative grants in 2026 to support projects that increase adult immunization rates through education, outreach, and improved access. Eligible organizations can submit proposals on a rolling basis through mid-November 2026 at gskgrants.com.
Launched in 2023, the COiMMUNITY Initiative combines grant funding with data transparency tools such as Vaccine Track, an interactive platform that provides real-time adult immunization data to inform public health strategies. GSK said it has awarded $5 million through the program to date as part of its broader mission to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. More information is available at gsk.com.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.