Liberators in Action: Grandparents for Vaccines
Grandparents have always played a key role in children’s lives. They’re a constant source of unconditional love, wisdom, and stories from lives well-lived. Now, they’re stepping into a new role as guardians of their grandchildren’s health.
Grandparents for Vaccines is a volunteer, non-partisan movement dedicated to protecting the health of children through the proven results of immunization. They remember polio, measles, chickenpox, mumps, and whooping cough as more than stories, but as real threats—many of which they experienced as children. And now, as vaccine disinformation spreads and confidence dips, these grandparents are raising their voices.
Their mission is clear: protect children by spreading trusted, science-based information, advocating for vaccination access, and using the power of lived experience to counter vaccine fear. With more than 67 million grandparents in the United States, this generation has enormous influence as trusted family advisors and community advocates. Silence, they remind us, would come at a deadly cost, and they choose not to stay silent.
What makes Grandparents for Vaccines powerful liberators is love. Love for all children, and the mission to protect, teach, and prevent the kinds of loss they once witnessed. As grandparents share their memories of the suffering they experienced, parents may change course and opt to vaccinate their own children. This is a beautiful example of liberators in action.
Grandparents for Vaccines is just getting started, so their website’s still taking shape. But their mission is strong, and you can add your name here.
Well Street
Such a vitally important mission, and there's no one better to lead it than citizens who witnessed the ravages brought by disease.
I hadn't considered how distressing it must be for grandparents to see their grandkids' access to vaccines put in jeopardy by RFK Jr, and especially heartbreaking, their own kids turning their backs on science.
Slipstream
I know a woman who had polio as a child. She was able to walk with a cane for many years, but began to weaken and had to start using a wheelchair. I appreciate what these grandparents are doing. Love is demonstrated in many ways, and this is a big one.