Vaccinated kindergartens: A community-based bottom-up initiative addressing vaccine hesitancy in Israel

Background Vaccine hesitancy (VH) has grown over recent decades. While most of the strategies implemented to cope with VH are top-down interventions, the present article focuses on a unique community-based bottom-up initiative conducted in Israel: Mehusgan-the vaccinated kindergarten. Objective The objective of the study was to learn about the vaccinated kindergarten initiative: its implementation, benefits, and challenges as well as its broader potential impact. Methodology During 2020, we conducted 13 semi-structured in-depth interviews with parents, kindergarten teachers and managers, and physicians. Findings The interviews revealed that parents are encouraged to complete the vaccination program as recommended; additional kindergartens join the initiative; and additional kindergartens become vaccinated. Conclusions Mehusgan is a unique and growing initiative that leads to vaccinated kindergartens and, therefore, contributes to public health. This case study can encourage other community-based bottom-up initiatives that seek to raise vaccination rates.