Canvassing Script
Canvassing Script
Hi, my name is [your name] with American Muslim Health Professionals and I’m out in our community today to talk with neighbors about the COVID-19 vaccines. Have you gotten vaccinated yet?
- Yes
- Planning on getting vaccinated but not yet
- No
Vaccine Yes: That’s great to hear! Thank you for taking this step to protect yourself and your community. Are there other people at home who are eligible but haven’t gotten the vaccine yet?
- If Yes: Ask if they will come to the door and move to Not Yet/No scripts
- If No: As a trusted messenger to your friends and family, the most important thing you can do now to help end this pandemic is to talk to others about getting vaccinated, too. Can I count on you to talk to three people you know today to see if they’ve gotten their vaccine yet?
Vaccine Not Yet: Share information, make a plan, address barriers
- Okay, I understand. The vaccines are completely free and available to anyone 12 and up. Would you like me to give you some information to help you find the closest vaccination site in your area?
- [For local canvasses, feel free to fill in info about the nearest site!] Your closest vaccination site is [SITE] at [ADDRESS] and their hours are [HOURS]
- You can go online to gov/search and put in your zip code
- Or text your zip code to 438-829 (or 822-862 for Spanish speakers)
- Or call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline at 1-800-232-0233.
When would work best in your schedule this week to go get vaccinated?
- Do you need a ride? If you’re an Uber or Lyft user, both are offering free rides to and from vaccine sites until July 4th through their apps.
- Do you have any friends or family you can bring with you?Reminder: The vaccines are completely free and available regardless of health insurance or immigration status.
Vaccine No, Don’t Want To/ Unsure: Active listening, share your story, info sharing.
I understand. Would you mind sharing why you’re unsure?
- Listen to their concerns, then consider sharing relevant info from your own personal experience about why you decided to get the vaccine!
- Example: Thank you for sharing. I know it’s a big decision to make. I decided to get the vaccine because it allowed me to safely spend time with my family again.
- Remember: We want to build trust, express empathy, and help them find their own reason to get vaccinated.
Do you have any questions about the vaccines I can help answer?
Use Made To Save’s FAQ or info at org/learn to answer!
You can also use any of the language below if it’s useful to the conversation:
- It’s very reasonable to have questions and want more information before you make your choice.
- Getting vaccinated is the best way to defeat this virus and get back to the things we miss the most—safely gathering with family and friends, indoor dining, weddings, concerts, sporting events, and travel.
- The vaccines are extremely effective! They prevent nearly 100% of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19.
- If you’d like to learn more about how the vaccines were made and what makes them so safe and effective, you can go to org/learn
Thank you for your time today!
Best Practices
- DO: Share information and provide positive encouragement and empathy.
- DON’T: Shame or judge people for having not gotten the vaccine yet!
- DO: Share answers from the Made to Save FAQs or from the CDC or local health department website.
- DON’T: Answer a question about the vaccine if you aren’t sure about the answer. It’s better to say “I’m a volunteer and don’t have an answer to that question” than to pass along information that may not be correct.
- DO: Keep your conversations friendly at all times, and politely end the conversation if someone becomes angry or agitated.
- DON’T: Get into an argument about the merits of the vaccine. If the person is very resistant to getting the vaccine, thank them for their time and move on.
- DO: Go the extra mile to help people make a plan to get vaccinated if they ask for your help. We may be the only resource that has reached them!
- DO: Keep going! Don’t get discouraged if you’re not reaching a lot of people. The next person you reach may be someone who needs to hear from us!