The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is the professional association for pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs), family nurse practitioners (FNPs), and other pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Founded in 1973, NAPNAP boasts more than 9,000 members and 128 trained Shot@Life Champions across the U.S. As a Shot@Life partner organization, NAPNAP honors its mission to “empower pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs), pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and their interprofessional partners to enhance child and family health through leadership, advocacy, professional practice, education and research.”
By advocating for global vaccine access, NAPNAP members help improve the quality of healthcare for infants, children, and adolescents in all corners of the world. In addition to supporting domestic and international immunization programs, NAPNAP members are committed advocates on a wide range of issues, including nutrition, mental health, gun safety, access to care, child trafficking and telehealth. The organization’s 2019 Health Policy Agenda focuses on the right of children and families to safe, healthy environments, as well as their right to “comprehensive, continuous, coordinated, compassionate, culturally sensitive and family-centered health care.” NAPNAP is committed to removing barriers to care and ensuring that all children have access to advanced practice nurses as a foundation for primary care provision.
NAPNAP members’ unique role as community leaders, health experts, and caregivers allows them to leverage their scientific knowledge and experience with families as vaccine advocates. Rebecca Maxie, Shot@Life’s Manager of National Grassroots Strategy, notes, “It’s exciting to work with NAPNAP members, because they come from across the country with direct experience working with families and building trust and vaccine confidence in communities. They work with kids all the time and see our issues firsthand, so they serve as a tremendous resource for their members of Congress.”
In addition to being a Shot@Life partner organization, NAPNAP also collaborates with such groups as March of Dimes, Children’s Hospital Association, Partnership for Medicaid, and many other associations dedicated to advancing children’s health policy issues.